I was honoured to be recognised as an official friend of MSIC at the 25th anniversary celebration.
As the State Government Member for Bligh, I was aware of the need for a safe injecting centre. Young people were dying from drug overdoses and the community was up in arms about people injecting on the street.
At the 1999 Drug Summit, I moved the proposal for the establishment of such a centre in Kings Cross. I was the only MP willing to have an injecting centre in my area.
The Centre has supervised 1.35 million injections, successfully treated 12,292 overdoses without a single death and 27,539 clients referred to ongoing care and support.
We heard from courageous clients of MSIC at the celebrations, hearing their stories and experiences of how this life changing health service has saved their lives in times of crisis.
25 years of service is a groundbreaking achievement and a compelling case for establishing more centres like it across NSW and the country.
Let’s continue to urge the NSW Government to revise outdated legislation that prevents many more communities from reaping the benefits from a health service like MSIC.
