VIC: Labor promises $20 million drugs plan

AAP General News (Australia)
08-04-1999
VIC: Labor promises $20 million drugs plan

The Victorian opposition has promised to set up five safe heroin injection rooms as part of
a new $20 million a year drugs strategy to be paid for by more gambling taxes.

Opposition leader STEVE BRACKS says the plans will also include a special drugs court, a
medically supervised heroin trial and mobile drug safety workers.

Mr BRACKS says the plan will also provide for more detoxification, treatment and
rehabilitation programs as well as specialist school support staff.

But Premier JEFF KENNETT has dismissed the plan, saying it would be irresponsible to set up
five injecting houses at once with no research or trials to assess the possible consequences.

He also says the $20 million funding is insignificant compared to the $100 million being
spent by the government on drug programs.

AAP RTV pjb/ra/lw/jn

KEYWORD: DRUGS LABOR (MELBOURNE)

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