‘Safe’ drug injecting room approved in North Richmond

A trial for the state’s first drug injecting room has been given the green light.

And it’s been revealed first-time users will be allowed to try illegal drugs there.

In what shapes as a controversial move, the state government has announced a two-year trial in North Richmond.

It’s the first of its kind in Victoria and just the second in Australia.

Neil Mitchell has plenty of reservations and ran through those with mental health minister Martin Foley on Tuesday morning.

The facility is just 61 metres from a primary school.

Mr Foley says it will save lives.

“We’re doing this because the facts are clear,” he said.

“A record number of Victorians are dying from overdoses.”

He went on to reveal first-time users would be able to try a drug like heroin for the first time there if they could not be convinced otherwise.

Click PLAY below to hear the full interview