Majority Victorians support injecting rooms: a mandate to continue and expand harm reduction responses to drug use

An AIHW household survey shows that the majority of Victorians are in favour of drug harm reduction initiatives including supervised injecting rooms, access to pharmacotherapy (opioid replacement therapy) and needle syringe programs. 

Community health service, cohealth, which provides a range of drug support services, says that the survey should provide greater confidence to governments and policy makers at all levels that harm reduction initiatives have public support.  

The AIHW’s National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2022-23 (NDSHS), conducted every three years, surveys Australians aged 14+ about their alcohol and other drug use, and attitudes and perceptions of same. 

The NDSHS survey results reveal that in 2022/23: 

•  56% of Victorians support supervised injecting rooms 
•  69% of Victorians support Methadone and Buprenorphine medicines as treatment for heroin dependence 
• 65% of Victorians support the distribution of clean needle syringes to people who inject drug drugs 
• 60% of Victorians support access to overdose-reversal drug, Naloxone

“The survey shows there is strong support for governments to prioritise public health initiatives over punitive measures in response drug use in the community,” said cohealth Deputy Chief Executive, Chris Turner.  

“Victorians understand that compassion and evidence-based approaches to drug use save lives and connect people to support, resulting in better health outcomes for individuals and the community,” said Mr Turner.  

 “Drug policy reform is complex and Victoria has shown great leadership in introducing progressive harm reduction initiatives, which are supported by the public.   

“This survey tells us that State Government has a mandate to continue and expand on those initiatives, including introducing a CBD overdose prevention service and expanded pharmacotherapy.” 

Table: AIHW National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2022-23 (NDSHS) 

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cohealth is one of Australia’s largest not-for-profit community health organisation that strives to improve health and wellbeing for all.  cohealth provides universal access to services as well as targeted programs and assertive models to address the health disparities experienced by disadvantaged groups. cohealth offers a broad range of high quality, integrated health and support services, including medical, oral, pharmacy, mental health and drug and alcohol services.  

More information: media@cohealth.org.au or 0499 101 638