The operator of Melbourne’s only safe injection room has admitted the service initially failed to adequately address community safety concerns about anti-social behaviour of drug-users.

In her first media interview since taking over two years ago, North Richmond Community Health chief executive Simone Heald said her team was now focused on mending trust with locals. A $1.7 million landscaping project of the injecting room grounds has recently been completed to improve the look and feel of the area.

Despite this, drug reform advocates and the Yarra Council warn the service will continue to be hampered by an unsustainable and unfair burden after Premier Jacinta Allan’s decision to abandon a planned second injecting facility in the CBD.

Ha Nguyen, president of the Traders Association on

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