Vic: Nats to vote against injecting rooms

AAP General News (Australia)
08-01-2000
Vic: Nats to vote against injecting rooms

MELBOURNE, Aug 1 AAP - The Victorian National Party today announced it would vote against
the government's heroin injecting facility legislation.

Leader Peter Ryan said the facilities would send the wrong message to young people.

"We strongly believe that prevention and education, coupled with improved rehabilitation,
detoxification and diversion programs are the best ways to reduce the problem," Mr Ryan
said.

He also floated purpose-built prisons for drug offenders.

Today's announcement was widely anticipated. The Nationals campaigned strongly against
the injecting rooms during its unsuccessful Benalla by-election campaign in May.

Liberal health spokesman Robert Doyle today told reporters the Nationals' decision
had no bearing on that of his party.

The Liberals are not expected to announce their own position on the government's enabling
bill until at least October, coinciding with the second report from the government's drugs
adviser, David Penington.

AAP pjb/jlw/bdm/br

KEYWORD: INJECT (CARRIED EARLIER)

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