Greens MLC Ian Cohen welcomes the NSW Government's decision to introduce legislation to make the Kings Cross injecting room a permanent service.
"My involvement in this issue goes right back to my membership of the Inquiry into Safe Injecting Rooms in the late 1990s and I am incredibly proud that we have now reached a stage where this vital public health service can move out of its trial status and be provided with the ongoing certainty that will only continue to benefit people struggling with drug addiction as well as the wider community" said Mr Cohen.
"After almost 10 years, the evidence is clear that the Kings Cross injecting room has played an enormous role in saving over 3,000 lives and has not had the negative impact on crime in Kings Cross as initially feared by the injecting room's detractors.
"Published medical literature has conclusively shown us that opioid related overdoses and injuries have significantly declined since the injecting room was opened, and that it has flow-on benefits to the community by lowering demand for ambulance services.
"There is widespread support from medical experts and peak medical bodies for the work done by the Kings Cross injecting room as it is recognised that it is a pragmatic and effective response to the issue of intravenous drug addiction.
"The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research have reviewed the volume of crime in Kings Cross between 1999 and March 2010 and found that there was "no evidence" that the injecting room has negatively impacted on crime in this area. This applies not just to drug offences, but also to theft, robbery, property crimes.
"I applaud the Government for acknowledging the clear evidence that the Kings Cross injecting room works and that it is safe for users and the surrounding community. For too long there has been a reluctance to afford this facility and its users with the certainty it requires to provide long-term compassionate, safe and effective services to the community" said Mr Cohen.
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