Premier Jacqueline Allan has made the decision to forego the implementation of a supervised injecting room in Melbourne's CBD, pivoting towards a $36.4 million community health service based in Flinders Street. This shift in strategy includes a trial of hydromorphone, a potent drug for heroin addiction treatment, aimed at assisting up to 60 individuals. Additionally, pharmacotherapy services involving specialist medications like methadone are set to be extended to 30 locations throughout the state, along with the introduction of Naloxone trials at 20 vending machines alongside needle exchange programs.
Former police chief commissioner Ken Lay's report, previously kept confidential, recommended the establishment of a small supervised injecting room accommodating four to six individuals in a high-usage area of the city. Despite the potential benefits outlined in Mr. Lay's report regarding the efficacy of injecting services in saving lives and improving health outcomes, Premier Allan expressed challenges in identifying an appropriate site for the second supervised injecting room, citing difficulties in balancing the needs of drug users with those of the broader community.
Opposition leader John Pesutto criticized the government's latest decision as a "half-baked" health strategy that has resulted in wasted time, asserting that the delay has led to a 40% increase in the waitlist for drug and alcohol services since July 2020. The government's acquisition of the former Yooralla building at 244 Flinders Street, initially intended for a CBD center, was later overshadowed by a shift in preference to the Salvation Army headquarters on Bourke Street, sparking criticism from Pesutto, who labeled the move as a sign of erratic policy decisions. Industry stakeholders expressed disappointment with the government's choice, with healthcare sector insiders denouncing the lack of a supervised injecting room as an act of cowardice, while others expressed concerns about the potential impact of the decision on the community at large.