[Greens-Media] Media Release - Burnet Institute report shows need for public health approach to drugs: Greens

[Blyberg, Andrew (Sen R. Di Natale)]

Media Release

Dr Richard Di Natale
Greens Senator for Victoria

20/05/2013

Burnet Institute report shows need for public health approach to drugs: Greens

The Burnet Institute released a report today about concerning levels of public injecting, heroin overdoses and public concern about discarded injecting equipment, in the city of Yarra. 

Australian Greens spokesperson for health, Dr Richard Di Natale, said today that the report showed that Melbourne needs to shift its approach to illicit drugs.

"The Burnet Institute report shows that we need to take a public health approach to illicit drugs," said Senator Di Natale, a former GP who worked in drug and alcohol addiction.

"The high levels of public injecting and overdoses in the city of Yarra is very concerning. It makes no sense to rule out harm minimisation measures that have been proven to work around the world, such as medically supervised safe injecting facilities and providing access to clean needles through syringe vending machines. 

"The old parties cannot continue to hide behind their 'tough on drugs' rhetoric while people die unnecessarily, the community is exposed to risks and local traders are suffering. The Greens care about people, not slogans and that's why we support a comprehensive public health approach to illicit drugs. 

"The evidence shows that medically supervised injecting facilities prevent people from overdosing, provide a pathway for addicts to get treatment and protect the community from discarded syringes. That's why the Yarra City Council voted in favour of a medically supervised injecting facility two years ago and the Australian Medical Association of Victoria also supports it.

"Enough is enough. We should start rolling out medically supervised injecting facilities and other harm minimisation measures in any local jurisdiction that supports them around the country, starting with the city of Yarra.

"The Greens also support the funding of syringe vending machines and disposal bins, and a peer-administered overdose prevention naloxone program, as recommended in the Burnet Institute report."

Media Contact:         Andrew Blyberg 0457 901 600