With the high numbers of Victorians losing their lives to drug-related overdoses, the Medically Supervised Injecting Room (MSIR) is a safety-first, medical approach focused on harm reduction and is operated by North Richmond Community Health partnership.
The MSIR provides a gateway for clients to link with other health and social services, ensuring they have access to the full range of treatment and support they need to reduce harm from their drug use.
The MSIR operates under strict oversight including:
- allowing only people aged over 18 years to use the injecting room
- ensuring that illegal drugs won't be provided or dealt at the facility
- security stationed inside and outside the facility
- additional security measures, including CCTV cameras near the facility and in surrounding streets
- working closely with the Department of Health and Victoria Police to support community safety while minimising drug harm.
The service was established for an initial two-year trial period with a three-year extension. The MSIR was made permanent through legislation passed by the State Government in 2023.
Since its establishment in 2018, trained and experienced staff from the medically supervised injecting room have saved at least 44 lives and safely managed more than 9,000 overdoses onsite. The latest statistics are available here: https://nrch.com.au/services/medically-supervised-injecting-room/
The service has taken pressure off local hospitals, reduced ambulance call outs and led to a decrease in public injecting. The service has also removed barriers to critical health and social supports for people who need them.
Dedicated staff have provided more than 159,000 health and social services onsite including Hepatitis C testing and treatment, homelessness support, mental health support, dental, GP, and addiction treatment.
Private tours of the facility are facilitated for interested stakeholders (over the age of 18) to build awareness of the service and how it operates. The tours are facilitated on Monday mornings at 8am for one hour. The facility is closed during this time.
Please note tour days have permanently changed from a Friday to a Monday as of 18th of November 2024.
During the tour, a North Richmond Community Health staff member will take you through the service in a small group, explain the process and different zones, and talk through the services provided.
Visitors are not allowed, under any circumstances, to take photos or make video or audio recordings of any part of any conversation during their tour and must agree to respect the clients, staff and other stakeholders of North Richmond Community Health and follow the instructions of staff at all times.
Tours are at the sole discretion of NRCH and from time-to-time may need to be cancelled or re-scheduled for operational reasons.
If you would like to register your interest to join a tour, please use this Eventbrite site to submit your application and date preference.
