Fed: Injecting rooms trial unlikely to succeed Howard

AAP General News (Australia)
04-06-2001
Fed: Injecting rooms trial unlikely to succeed Howard

Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD says the trial of Australia's first legal heroin injecting
centre is unlikely to succeed.

The injecting rooms in Sydney's Kings Cross are expected to open within weeks after
the NSW Supreme Court yesterday dismissed a legal challenge by local businesses.

Mr HOWARD has refused to say if he'll review his attitude if the injecting rooms are
a success, instead saying he doubts the trial will work.

He says he can't stop the rooms from opening but he says the government won't give
the operators any assistance.

Mr HOWARD says he doesn't agree with heroin injecting rooms or galleries but it's a
policy decision taken by the New South Wales government.

The Uniting Church's Reverend HARRY HERBERT says although Mr HOWARD doesn't support
the injecting rooms, he should at least approach the 18-month trial with an open mind.

AAP RTV ld/rp/mg/rp/hn/wz

KEYWORD: HEROIN HOWARD (SYDNEY)

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