Statement from VAADA on the Medically Supervised Injecting Room

The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) is deeply disappointed that the City of Yarra has chosen to play politics with a critical health service that is meeting the needs of some of the most vulnerable people in our community.

The Medically Supervised Injecting Room (MSIR), has made an enormous contribution to the health and wellbeing of thousands of people in the City of Yarra by preventing fatal overdoses, reducing public drug use and supporting pathways into other health and social services which otherwise would not occur.

VAADA agrees with the City of Yarra that additional supervised injecting facilities are required in other local government areas to ease the amenity pressures in North Richmond, but will not tolerate the MSIR and in turn those people who use the service being denigrated for political purposes. This includes false comparisons implying that the MSIR encourages drug use as well as harmful statements which amplify stigma about other groups already facing discrimination. The MSIR is neither Disneyland nor a brothel, it is a health service.

Everyone, including people who use drugs have a right to access safe and appropriate health care without being treated as less than human. The reasons why it is located in North Richmond on the grounds of the public housing estate are clear. There has been a pre-existing serious problem with injecting drug use and drug related harm in the area for decades.

VAADA urges all Victorians to continue to support this essential service. It is not only saving lives, but providing dignity and compassionate care to people who otherwise are at risk of dying on our streets.