The Age | Life at the sharp end of Melbourne’s drug debate

A PUSH for a drug injecting room trial in Melbourne is gaining momentum after unions, nurses, paramedics and firefighters backed…

By Neelima Choahan & Rochelle Kirkham Premier Daniel Andrews says he will not reconsider his opposition to recreational drug testing despite…

By Jewel Topsfield The state government has vowed to stick with the controversial two-year trial of the safe injecting room…

When residents were asked about drugs at Richmond’s public housing estate in 2011, many were scared about talking and being identified. “Our building is not a safe space. Buying and selling drugs go on, people having injections. A few households are involved in drug dealing,” one resident told a project initiated by the Richmond Estate Action Group. Tenants spoke of syringes all over the playground, stairwells and communal laundries. “Some children have witnessed violent incidents,” one resident said. “Big trouble with us with this building,” another said. “People poo and wee there.”