Medically Supervised Injecting Centre Statement

Throughout its 151 year history, The Salvation Army has strived to support initiatives aimed at reaching those most in need. So we are pleased to align ourselves with a number of prominent Australians who are advocating for a Medically Supervised Injecting Centre in Victoria.

The objectives of a Medically Supervised Injecting Centre align with our mission in that they save lives, reduce human misery and provide an easy referral pathway into drug treatment. Salvos know that it is important to care for others at their point of greatest need and to preserve human dignity.

An abundance of data from the ninety facilities around the world overwhelmingly shows how they prevent deaths, improve access to addiction recovery services, reduce strain on the public health system and reduce ambulance response times.

The Salvation Army provides Alcohol and Other Drug services to almost 4,000 people each year in Victoria. We strive to maintain the dignity and improve the health of each person who walks through our doors. But sadly, we know that there are many who do not get to seek our help because they have died from overdoses that may have been prevented by a Medically Supervised Injecting Centre.

The Salvation Army Victoria advocates the trialling of a Medically Supervised Injecting Centre as part of a broader approach to problematic drug use and supports measures that reduce drug related harms, better access to treatment and a strong emphasis on prevention and early intervention.