Located in the heart of Sydney, Kings Cross is vibrant and famous red light area of Australia. From sophisticated and artistic society beginnings, the area has transformed itself to become the vibrant and controversial hot spot.

On a recent evening, I found the Cross full of trendy bars, restaurants and energy. At United Medically Supervised Injecting Centre (MSIC), I saw a young man in his early 20’s. He was impatiently knocking on the door parallel opposite the reception desk. He looked at the receptionist. The receptionist responded saying he was supposed to wait.

The Sydney’s MSIC is a special place.

It is not just a rehabilitation centre for drug users. It is a centre which provides a roof to drug users to inject drugs and discourage them from injecting in open.It has been a resounding success.

In the last 16 years, the MSIC has made over 15, 000 referrals into treatment and support services, which includes mental health services, as well as drug treatment services.

When it was opened in 2001 the surrounding area, Kings Cross, had the highest concentration of drug overdoses in Australia. But 16 years later, today ambulance call-outs to the Cross has fallen by 80 per cent. The reports of public injecting and the amount of publicly discarded needles have reduced considerably. The centre has also saved countless lives by helping many onto the path of recovery and rehabilitation.

Medical director of the Uniting Sydney MSIC, Dr Marianne Jauncey said that MSIC aims to provide public health and public amenity by reducing drug use in public places.

“One