Inside Melbourne's controversial supervised injecting centre | 7.30

For decades, many Australians have struggled to shake a crippling addiction to heroin. In an effort to reduce harm, some governments have set up safe injecting rooms - where users can take drugs under medical supervision. Reporter Elias Clure was granted rare access to see one injecting centre and some of its users in Melbourne, which has become the focus of community debate. Subscribe: ab.co/3yqPOZ5 Read more here: ab.co/3nwl0TK
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[@debbieanne7962]

Heroin hasn't just appeared on the streets of North Richmond since 2018 it's been sold on Victoria Street since the 1970s. Moving the injecting room to an industrial area means there'll be no clientele. Prohibition doesn't work that's a fact. Look at Europe where at least 7 countries including Norway, Switzerland, Portugal and Holland all give out free Heroin to users. It's been a resounding success. For instance in Holland the government set up a program in the 1990s. Free pure Heroin is dispensed up to 3 times a day in supervised facilities. There's no more Street dealers or people using on the streets. Users are now in their late 40s+. Crime has plummeted to such a degree that prisons are being closed. We could put facilities away from residential areas as users don't need to score on the suburban roads. I don't know why any state governments haven't at least trialled something like this.

[@NormanFinkelstein9863]

That would involve treating drug users as if they were actual people, with real needs and medical conditions. As a country we can't even seem to properly take care of Veterans, the elderly, mental illness, the disabled, yes the disabled. Why would a country so self obsessed with itself, its possessions, its status, entitlements and its sport have the capacity to universally care about the disadvantaged people they care least about?

[@zalired8925]

That's all well and good for long term addicts, actually it is better approach than what's not working here. I know so many people I would never have even guessed that still have to rely on their daily methadone to get through the day. I've even known one girl who wanted to get on methadone for no other reason than a free daily high, or low or whatever they have. There has to be some way of preventing kids now from wanting to try their first hit and become a potential future addict. I've got no idea how to prevent that, but that's what should be a priority over just getting someone off heroin and onto methadone.

[@thorts]

You took all the words out of my mouth! Great comment! Thank you!

[@alexisl9426]

It’s dumb for the facility to be located near a school. Just so unsafe for kids to be near these zombies.

[@chrizzle6222]

So you want them back in the oval leaving needles everywhere? Keep quiet

[@Peekaboo-Kitty]

@@chrizzle6222 Seems you care more about Drug addicts than children. Shame on you!

[@maxrebo8455]

@@chrizzle6222They do that anyway.

[@TheActualDP]

Seems like a surprisingly effective public health intervention for a first world country. I would like to see the amount of money spent on this, but I suspect it's far more cost effective than most things we could do in Australia, other than improving basic health care in remote indigenous communities (Fred Hollows Foundation is literally doing $25 eye surgeries in such communities...). I've just skimmed the Feb 2023 review and it looks like most of what's reported on here are also listed as lessons to be learned for future injection centres in the review, so I'm optimistic the Vic government will do a much better job in future. Hopefully the problems also become less concentrated as more centres open up. Shame they put it so close to a school! Hope they end up moving this one, but I'm not confident that they will do it any time soon. The suitability of the location wasn't even supposed to be part of the review, but the review went out of the way to point out how unhappy people were with it being so near the school. This was a much better report than the others that I've found so far, so thanks Elias!

[@NormanFinkelstein9863]

IT'S a real shame that ABC feels the need to moderate people's free comments by Hiding them from others. There are numerous differing and engaging comments on this page that have been removed, and you begin to wonder why they are so concerned with steering this non-debate. Perhaps the social media team at the ABC could explain themselves in front of an obudsman sometime. I agree with your comment DP but you won't have seen mine further down the page.

[@reallyskeptical]

They arrested ppl for having a joint last week in Melbourne. 12 police set up a tent. but supply the narcotics here oh the money not the health. This drug is more addictive and more harmful.

[@trinitiusw6145]

The reduction of addicts around Kings Cross is not due to the presence of the injection centre. It is like saying after opening up a panel bearing workshop, the number of cars requiring repairs reduced. The cause and effect is totally different. If the drug supply is not stopped and the addiction not treated, just opening facilities to help addicts shoot up is only providing infrastructural support to the crime syndicates and will make the problem worse. Sydney is cleaning up the drug problem in the city but Melbourne is going to just turn it into a slum.

[@Marshmallowdramatic]

They’ve stopped almost 6000 overdoses and have been able to refer thousands of people to other services such as housing, withdrawal/ addiction services and mental health services. Building a rapport and helping people start to want to refer out is part of the injection rooms

[@les199]

They need one in the city and in the west as well

[@Iys67]

Yuck. This goverment and council will eventually destroy Melbourne

[@CitiesForTheFuture2030]

This is such a tough issue. People will do what they want to do even if it causes harm to themselves or others (e.g. alcohol abuse, smoking etc). At least here they can do it safely and not endanger themselves or others, and get help if they wany to. Only time will tell if this is the right or wrong thing to do - and we can then make adjustments. Please keep us updated on this story.

[@rmac3217]

Crack and smack use is never good. if you are a lefty and think a free hit of smack ends the problem you are far too innocent to comment. You don’t just use 1 drug to escape reality and dosage increases until your body gives way and you die.

[@RJohn-hd1gq]

It’s exactly that. We can see the current method isn’t working for anyone. What’s the harm in trying if it can better us as a society where we treat people better. If it doesn’t it doesn’t - but the current system doesn’t, so why not another approach?

[@trinitiusw6145]

The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Don’t make excuses for inept enforcement.

[@Bathrezz1]

People are going to find ways to do what they want. Not just adults but teenagers aswell. This provides them a safe space to get the support they need, do it in a safe way and someone friendly to talk to. This topic is similar to underage teenagers wanting to try alcohol, they will find a way to drink (at a friends house or someone older). Its better that they drink at home under supervision so they don't get alcohol poisoning and die. This service is about saving lives and changing lives.

[@satiricgames2129]

Harm reduction and risk mitigation are all good things

[@macnosmutano4849]

That's not harm reduction. Harm reduction is putting money into efforts to help people overcome their drug addiction not helping them find a vein so they can get their high quicker.

[@jeremywest3786]

@@macnosmutano4849 That is incorrect, harm reduction is like giving you a helmet before you get on your bike, or putting your seatbelt on before you drive off. You're already dead set on driving so might as well do it in a safer way. People are going to take substances whether you provide them a safer way to do it or not. Giving people the option to take their substances in a supervised setting and providing them with resources for recovery makes so much more sense than telling people to ride on without a seatbelt and treating the carnage afterwards with our already stretched healthcare services.

[@princesssharkie]

@@macnosmutano4849you clearly have no idea what harm reduction is.

[@colinj58]

every suburb should have one , I dont hear too many people jumping up and down about drive through bottle shops and we all know that drink driving kills

[@davidbrown2098]

Help and companionship, friends and curtenly love can combat the problem. Low esteem and homeless is the biggest one. Find a community where they are herd and a way they can move forward. A job and a place to stay can help.

[@zalired8925]

I know so many people I grew up with from the best caring homes and a lot were from private schools that I would never even imagine become heroin addicts. When I started working in my trade (a few decades ago) around the steel works in Port Kembla I was shocked and actually saddened when I discovered everyone ducking off to the dunny for 30 to 90 minutes or not return at all were going for a shot of heroin, not to read the paper front to back. These were tradesmen, T.A's, crane chasers and drivers, one of the loco drivers at the coke ovens and even a foreman. As I discovered very quickly drug addiction affects people from the street living dregs who's family life was addicted parents to your trusted plumber to the bank executive.

[@byhislove]

Wow

[@daus6035]

I am shocked

[@staceyb3882]

I have no idea what to think.

[@tranceman8692]

Im moving there ASAP (drug user here)

[@jayr6637]

I learnt how to recognise drug dealers by observing them on Victoria St back in the 90's... and it wasn't new then. So I'm a bit surprised at the lady complaining about the drug dealers on Victoria St & calling it a slum, as if it's a new development. It's disingenuous to blame everything on the injecting centre, but she does, even citing the "lovely wine bar" which is now closed as a consequence, as if there hasn't been a pandemic & lockdowns that may have contributed!

[@tgodridge]

There have been many businesses in that spot over the past few years and they were all destined to fail, with or without the local drug trade. I'm actually struggling to remember what was on that corner before The Hive was built in 2010? 2011? A bank maybe?

[@trinitiusw6145]

Instead of helping these drug addicts and sending them into rehabilitation, this is providing infrastructural support for organised crime gangs and encouraging drug use. No wonder crime is escalating and Melbourne is going down the tubes

[@jayr6637]

@@trinitiusw6145 That's one way to look at it... another is that rehab is not magic. The person using/abusing a drug needs to see what they are doing is harmful, and be ready to do something. Safe injecting rooms help these people stay safe until they are ready for that!

[@trinitiusw6145]

@@jayr6637 If this government is genuine about solving this societal problem then It needs to deal with this holistically. Just opening more facilities to tackle the tail-end problem will not reduce the growing numbers. They need to root out the source of the problem. Why is the Victorian Police force so inept at wiping out the drug lords and locking them up? Track and map out the entire drug distribution network and carefully plan to wipe them all up in one big swoop. Enough of this inconsequential farcical nonsense. Anybody looked at the crime rate stats in the CBD lately?

[@ohisww]

​@@trinitiusw6145blind freddy can spot the drug dealers. Police and government not fussed

[@corvettesbme]

I'm not sure how I feel about this. I'm on the fence. I've learned alot though? I just do not know yet.😢

[@lisapounder1950]

This is really disturbing

[@kerstin.jitschin5861]

Thanks

[@herrdavidw]

Absolutely preposterous!!!

[@twistedyogert]

These places still support a bad habit which ultimately kills the victim and costs the state a lot of money in medical costs before death. This isn't harm reduction, it's kicking the can down the road. Wouldn't it be better to treat drug addiction like the sickness it is?

[@jeremywest3786]

But what is the better alternative? Maybe this isn't a silver bullet but its preventing the spread of blood born disease, giving people a place where they have the option of being monitored for overdose and have access to services to help with their addiction. Is it logical and humane for these people to be found overdosing on the streets, taking up vital ambulance resources? I don't think so. It's not a complete solution to a nuanced problem but its certainly a step in the right direction. We can't just get rid of people who are addicted to substances and putting them in jail and clogging up our healthcare system costs far more. I would argue that pubs are a place which support a bad habit and offer zero support to alcoholics but we fight for those to stay open.

[@robinsss]

'''''''''''''''''''''These places still support a bad habit which ultimately kills the victim'''''''''''''' not if they continue to use in the faciality

[@trinitiusw6145]

@@robinsssthese addicts go back onto streets to get money to sustain the addiction. And where do you think they get the money from? And when all they can afford is the cheap stuff mixed with other junk, they will just end up killing themselves. These centres only address half the problem and in fact makes the situation worse.

[@MrMazRx]

0:55 gucci new promo pic

[@dadaniel2467]

You save a life and destroy surrounding businesses

[@jasonweaver3629]

Seemed like unnecessarily judgmental language for an ABC story, a bit shabby.

[@bulkyplant]

Cant wait to see these centres to be around every street corner like the 7 11 stores!

[@thorts]

So many moronic uneducated comments here but no suprised. The woman in this video wants it moved 2 blocks away. Thats it. These places work for what they're set up for. Saving lives. Great job!

[@douglascatling3692]

The interviewer here was a bit harsh.

[@SuperlativeCG]

Bingo!

[@benjamingriswold2564]

Because that works so well in other parts of the world. Enablers.

[@debbieanne7962]

Look at countries in Europe where free Heroin is dispensed. Overwhelming success

[@rmac3217]

Where’s the smoke hut so I can afford some pristine cigars? I’m a victim...

[@robinsss]

this has worked inn other countries

[@David-yd9ej]

Yo h, ........😇💫🙄

[@maxt7525]

No wonder that area has such a high crime rate

[@tsikada]

It literally reduces crime look past what you see

[@maxt7525]

@@tsikada look at that’s statistics for a fact and reality check 😂🤡😂

[@satiricgames2129]

It doesn't lol good try😂

[@satiricgames2129]

​@@maxt7525the your own advice

[@adamlouis3725]

imagine trusting police stats

[@jondurr]

Just Enablers! Patetic!

[@mjulianlee]

Can only acquiesce.

[@mistyblue2917]

3:22 gee who woulda thought that would happen.. obvious outcome is obvious

[@mistyblue2917]

Youre supposed to withdraw all support so drug abusers hit rock bottom asap and get into treatment.. not accomodate them 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

[@patholinofa4601]

Doesn't that result in drug abusers dying in some random place? Also, to receive treatment they'd need money? Wasn't the main purpose of drug injection rooms to prevent deaths from Overdosing?

[@mistyblue2917]

@@patholinofa4601 yea.. it's almost like they should have thought of all these concerns for themselves in the first place.. instead of living carelessly n then needing society n others' hard-earned tax dollars to coddle them..

[@patholinofa4601]

@@mistyblue2917 but the injection rooms serves as a funnel? Reducing both death rates of drug overdose as well as the sight of drug-induced individuals in public settings?

[@robinsss]

'''''''''''''''''''''Youre supposed to withdraw all support so drug abusers hit rock bottom asap and get into treatment.'''''''' well that's not the only technique for dealing with addicts

[@catherine.2023]

This is disgusting. This place needs to be closed down. This place is enabling these junkies.

[@TheActualDP]

It's enabling junkies to reduce their chance of dying from overdose or contracting HIV, and hopefully if the government follows the recommendations in the Feb 2023 review, this place can start enabling junkies to get treatment and stop being junkies. Just because you find something to be disgusting doesn't mean it ought not to exist. Should we stop doing surgeries because they involve blood and guts? Should we close sewage treatment plants because they're smelly and handle human waste? Look past your immediate emotional reaction and consider the actual results.

[@adamlouis3725]

is it tho karen? would they not shoot up if the building wasnt there?

[@rmac3217]

You go on lovely, don’t you worry mr smack. Get on it, stop pretending and being soft while advocating.

[@zalired8925]

@@adamlouis3725 Leaving their needles in a park so our kids can find them or find someone who overdosed alone the next morning? That's the reality where there is no supervised injecting.

[@staceyb3882]

I hate people calling these people junkies that’s so degrading! If only we knew the reason they do it or could understand what they are going through thst ever made them first do this . Not everyone has lived a privileged life like you. These people are probably the most beautiful broken souls. They are not junkies

[@mistyblue2917]

Accommodating n babysitting illegal drug users.. what a world

[@zalired8925]

I thought drug possession was illegal?

[@mistyblue2917]

4:42 who would've thought that accommodating drug use would worsen drug problems in the area lol. Is this real life, ppl have lost all common sense at this point

[@robinsss]

someone has to present a study to prove that

[@robinsss]

most studies say they reduce OD deaths

[@mistyblue2917]

I don't doubt that it reduces OD deaths/I'm well aware of the reasoning for why such treatments exist.. At the same time, it's entirely possible that accommodating drug use simultaneously worsens drug problems in the area.. There's a very fine line between truly effectively treating severe addicts, or further enabling them.

[@mistyblue2917]

Yep they could run studies.. and also still use their eyes and brains to take into account what local residents have observed in the area, into account as well.