No Victorian Injecting Centre
The Victorian Labor government has given a firm commitment not to open an illicit drug injecting centre in Victoria.
Likewise the Victorian state opposition has given a commitment not to open an illicit drug injecting centre.
These commitments were made by Health Minister Bronwyn Pike on behalf of the government and Ted Baillieu Leader of the Opposition in the lead up to the Victorian election in November 2010.
(Source: Make It Count meeting, Parliament House, 24 September 2010)
DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-
Our Council congratulates both political parties for this commitment.
An injecting centre represents an acceptance of illicit drug maintenance and the facilitation of the harms of illicit drug use.
An injecting centre requires illicit drug users to obtain their drug of injection from drug pushers with criminal backgrounds.
Australia has been criticized by United Nations agencies and international bodies for not reducing drug demand.
This lack of reduction of drug demand facilitated by an injecting centre drives illicit drug production in other countries.
Facilitated illicit drug use plays into the hands of international drug crime gangs as reported by the Australian Crime Commission.
An injecting centre does not reduce the number of illicit drug users nor facilitate rehabilitation.
We support early intervention rehabilitation backed by court diversion and supervision to assist users to quit.
THE DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS-
More detoxification & rehabilitation that gets illicit drug users drug free.
Court ordered and supervised detoxification & rehabilitation.
Less illicit drug users, drug pushers and drug related crimes.
36/2010
