Health Professionals
"A service that has consistently been demonstrated to be safe, effective and cost efficient should be embraced and supported, so it can continue to reduce fatal and non fatal overdoses, reduce transmission of blood borne viruses, enhance access to other services for those who are affected by drug use and, of course, improve the public amenity of the Kings Cross area. The human benefits are obvious. These are matched by the reduction of costs to other health services, including emergency services and primary health care. Critically, the [MSIC] has provided a bridge to other care, often referring clients to drug treatment services. “(Professor Steve Allsop, Director, National Drug Research Institute)
The Mayor of South Sydney, Mr Vic Smith
It is quite clear that the community is in favour of any methods that get drug use and its associated problems such as needle disposal off the streets, or moved to another area, so long as the location of the alternative is not near residential properties, local parks or playgrounds.
‘I long for the day when we help those who are suffering, rather than blame and punish them. MSIC has proven many times its worth in terms of lives saved; families spared the heartache of a needless death. More importantly, MSIC stands as a reminder that people who suffer addiction are part of our community; they are our brothers and sisters and they deserve dignity and a helping hand to better days. How long does doing good have to remain “a trial” for New South Wales?’(Graham Long, Pastor, Wayside Chapel, Kings Cross)
ARGUMENTS AGAINST THE SITUATION
The community has been tainted over the years of living in criminality and may I say that, by proposing introducing some safe injecting rooms, I would have thought that we are sending very wrong signals, the wrong message, to the drug addicts and the drug dealers in that particular region.
The provision of formal support for illegal activity and hard drug addiction sends the message to our youth that hard drug use is condoned by our community leaders.
The provision of injecting rooms will not solve the drug problem. It could, however maintain drug addicts in a permanent state of mental oblivion to which they may as well be dead. (Ngo, Evidence 9 October 1997)
The Mayor of South Sydney, Mr Vic Smith
It is quite clear that the community is in favour of any methods that get drug use and its associated problems such as needle disposal off the streets, or moved to another area, so long as the location of the alternative is not near residential properties, local parks or playgrounds.
‘I long for the day when we help those who are suffering, rather than blame and punish them. MSIC has proven many times its worth in terms of lives saved; families spared the heartache of a needless death. More importantly, MSIC stands as a reminder that people who suffer addiction are part of our community; they are our brothers and sisters and they deserve dignity and a helping hand to better days. How long does doing good have to remain “a trial” for New South Wales?’(Graham Long, Pastor, Wayside Chapel, Kings Cross)
ARGUMENTS AGAINST THE SITUATION
The community has been tainted over the years of living in criminality and may I say that, by proposing introducing some safe injecting rooms, I would have thought that we are sending very wrong signals, the wrong message, to the drug addicts and the drug dealers in that particular region.
The provision of formal support for illegal activity and hard drug addiction sends the message to our youth that hard drug use is condoned by our community leaders.
The provision of injecting rooms will not solve the drug problem. It could, however maintain drug addicts in a permanent state of mental oblivion to which they may as well be dead. (Ngo, Evidence 9 October 1997)
