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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/oct/25/two-workers-for-melbourne-injecting-room-charged-with-drug-trafficking
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| Two workers for Melbourne injecting room charged with drug trafficking | Two workers for Melbourne injecting room charged with drug trafficking |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| A medically-supervised injecting room in Melbourne should remain open despite two workers linked to the facility being charged with drug trafficking, Reason Party MP Fiona Patten says. | |
| A 36-year-old Brunswick West woman and 49-year-old Richmond man were among five people charged with trafficking a drug of dependence on Thursday. | |
| The pair are allegedly community outreach workers whose job is to bring drug users into contact with the injecting room’s facilities and treatment options. | |
| Patten, a champion for the North Richmond room, on Friday said the centre should remain open, at least until the end of the trial. | |
| Victorian government rejects criticism of drug-injecting room saying it is saving lives | Victorian government rejects criticism of drug-injecting room saying it is saving lives |
| “I don’t think it is time to rethink the supervised injecting centre,” she said on 3AW radio. | |
| “That centre is undoubtedly saving lives, it is being used by hundreds of people and for the first time we are talking about a very disadvantaged cohort entering into a health system.” | |
| Patten suggested the needle exchange program could be relocated. | |
| In the closing months of the centre’s trial in Melbourne, police accused workers of being involved in trafficking drugs but none of the alleged offences happened inside the facility. | |
| A sixth person is also expected to be charged over trafficking a drug of dependence, while two others arrested were released pending further inquiries, police say. | |
| “The trafficking of drugs causes significant harm in the community, which is why we are absolutely committed to arresting these offenders and putting them before the court,” acting Superintendent Kelvin Gale said. | “The trafficking of drugs causes significant harm in the community, which is why we are absolutely committed to arresting these offenders and putting them before the court,” acting Superintendent Kelvin Gale said. |
| “While we recognise those who use illicit drugs have a health problem, we also know that drugs are a big contributor to crime.” | “While we recognise those who use illicit drugs have a health problem, we also know that drugs are a big contributor to crime.” |
| The three-month investigation was targeted at drug dealers who “prey on the vulnerable”, police said. | The three-month investigation was targeted at drug dealers who “prey on the vulnerable”, police said. |
| The Nine Network has shown footage of staff at the injecting room shielding the arrested woman from the cameras. | The Nine Network has shown footage of staff at the injecting room shielding the arrested woman from the cameras. |
| “Two North Richmond Community Health Centre staff members have been stood down, following their arrest by Victoria Police today,” a statement from the health service said. | “Two North Richmond Community Health Centre staff members have been stood down, following their arrest by Victoria Police today,” a statement from the health service said. |
| “North Richmond Community Health has begun a full investigation into this matter and will cooperate fully with Victoria Police, as its investigation continues.” | “North Richmond Community Health has begun a full investigation into this matter and will cooperate fully with Victoria Police, as its investigation continues.” |
| Acting mental health minister Luke Donnellan said the allegations were very serious. | |
| “Such behaviour is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” Donnellan said on Thursday. | |
| “The government will swiftly investigate this matter and take action.” | |
| Opposition spokeswoman Georgie Crozier said residents’ concerns about the centre had been realised. | |
| “The residents, the police and others who have been saying that crime has gone up – the community is living in fear – has all been borne out with what is happening on the streets of Richmond each and every day,” she told 3AW. | |
| Victoria approves safe injecting room trial after spate of heroin deaths | |
| Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius told 3AW drug dealing in Richmond was “a major issue” and police were working to tackle drug trafficking in the area. | |
| The North Richmond facility opened in June 2018 for an 18-month trial and has recorded thousands of visits and managed more than 1,800 overdoses without a death. | |
| There have been objections to the centre. | |
| Parents from a nearby primary school have complained about its proximity to young children, and neighbours say there has been an increase in waste – including used syringes – in surrounding streets. | |
| The state Labor government has already completed a purpose-built facility for the centre but insists its future will be based on the outcome of the trial. | |
| Four of those charged – two men aged 49 and 51 and two women aged 43 and 42 – will face Melbourne Magistrates Court on October 29. | Four of those charged – two men aged 49 and 51 and two women aged 43 and 42 – will face Melbourne Magistrates Court on October 29. |
| A 35-year-old man will face the same court on October 25. | A 35-year-old man will face the same court on October 25. |
| Melbourne | Melbourne |
| Drugs | Drugs |
| Drugs policy | Drugs policy |
| Health | Health |
| news | news |
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