9418 9800

General reception

9418 9873

Oral health reception

1800 841 051

Alcohol and other drugs outreach

Telehealth Portal
Telehealth Portal

9418 9800

General reception

9418 9873

Oral health reception

1800 841 051

Alcohol and other drugs outreach

Our History

Our History

Initially established as a trial in 2018, the MSIR has matured into a leading, comprehensive, wraparound health service for people who inject drugs. 

In 2016, North Richmond had the highest overdose fatality rate in Victoria, with approximately one death every ten days. Since opening, the MSIR has become one of the busiest injecting services in the world. Over 9,000 overdoses have been safely managed at the service and none have been fatal.

“The MSIR provides life-saving interventions for people who have a full range of health needs and may otherwise experience significant barriers to accessing health care and other services. It is intended to be a gateway into broader support such as medical care, drug treatment and hepatitis C screening and treatment. It offers referrals to other health and social supports such as mental health counselling, treatment for alcohol and other drug (AOD) issues and housing services.”

– Review of the Medically Supervised Injecting Room 2023

Timeline

1990s

Supply of heroin in Melbourne drastically increases and becomes readily available at levels of high purity. Street-based drug activity, including the buying, selling and public injecting of heroin emerges as a significant challenge.

2003 - 2005

The City of Yarra has the most non-fatal heroin overdose ambulance attendances in metropolitan Melbourne. 21.1 per cent in 2003, 18.8 per cent in 2004 and 22.2 per cent in 2005.

2012

The Coroners Court of Victoria starts to monitor heroin-related overdose deaths in the City of Yarra.

2015

Announcement of a parliamentary inquiry into the effectiveness of laws and procedures relating to illicit drugs (the Parliamentary Inquiry into Drug Law Reform).

2016

The City of Yarra records the highest rate of heroin-related overdoses in Victoria. Hundreds of community members rally to call for the establishment of a supervised injecting facility. The Coroners Court of Victoria holds an inquest and recommends a supervised injecting trial be established in North Richmond.

2017

The Coroners Court of Victoria holds an inquest and recommends a supervised injecting trial be established in North Richmond.

The Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment (Medically Supervised Injecting Centre) Act 2017 is introduced, and the Victorian Government commits to a two-year trial of the MSIR.

2018

MSIR opens as a trial. Prior to the establishment of the MSIR in North Richmond, there was only one supervised injecting service in Australia in Kings Cross, Sydney.

2020

An independent review panel finds that in the first 18 months of operation, the MSIR is saving lives. The trial is extended for an additional three years.

2023

A second independent review recommends the MSIR become an ongoing service with an expanded model of care.

As the MSIR marks its fifth year of operation, the Victorian Government passed legislation to make the MSIR ongoing at its current location.

2024

MSIR commences operating under the North Richmond Health Partners, composed of four longstanding, trusted health services: North Richmond Community Health, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Access Health and Community and Your Community Health.

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