NCJ Number
180286
Date Published
1998
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This discussion paper examines issues related to establishing safe drug injection facilities to reduce deaths from drug overdoses in Australia, discusses current Australian Federal and State legislation and practice concerning needle-exchange services, and discusses arguments presented in Australia regarding safe injection facilities.
Abstract
One hundred twenty-five deaths from heroin overdoses occurred in Victoria, Australia, in the year ending June 30, 1997. In addition, health workers are concerned that Hepatitis C has the potential to be of epidemic proportions. Unfortunately, many options and possible alternative policy approaches encounter rejection because their implementation is regarded as politically unpalatable. Any pilot program should take place in many sites rather than in one municipality. The Springvale Community Health Center supports the provision of needle-exchange services and operates such a service as an outreach program. However, current problems include the unsanitary settings in which users must inject, problems in self-administration laws, and other issues. The benefits of the injecting rooms established in Switzerland clearly outweigh their costs. Supporters of safe injecting facilities in Australia argue that drug addicts will continue to obtain and use illegal drugs and that health and public safety benefits outweigh the policy considerations against condoning otherwise unlawful behavior. A pilot program and facility would address that area's current problems; would not involve dispensing drugs; would provide medical support services; and would need to address barriers, legal issues, and evaluation issues. The author is a member of the bipartisan Victorian Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee and a local drug action group and has been President of the Springvale Community Health Center.