A Greens MP is calling for the Victorian government to consider opening a medically supervised injecting room in Geelong.
Sarah Mansfield said Geelong recorded the second highest number of overdose deaths in Victoria last year, but the government said there were no plans to open an injecting room in the region.
Dr Mansfield says the deaths were preventable.
“Medically supervised injecting rooms save lives,” Dr Mansfield said.
“They not only prevent overdoses by providing immediate treatment, they also link people with addiction support and other social services.
“With the arrival of potent synthetic opioids like fentanyl and nitazines in Geelong, there is the real risk of a huge escalation in overdose deaths.”