New Flinders Street health clinic to offer addiction services in CBD

A new health hub for people experiencing homelessness and drug addiction will "enhance the amenity" of Melbourne's streets, a senior state government minister has said.

The Flinders Street Health service opposite the eponymous station will finally open its doors to the city's vulnerable today, years after the state government bought the building during COVID.

To be run by Cohealth, the government-funded centre includes GPs, addiction specialists, counsellors as well as facilities for vulnerable people to shower and eat.

"Feeling human again is the whole intent of the space,'' veteran social worker Danny Jeffcote said.

"This is about addressing stigma. Our staff deserve to work in a first-rate environment, and our clients deserve access to healthcare in a first-rate environment."

Site to host prescription opioid trial in 2027

Next year the centre will also host a trial of hydromorphone, an alternative opioid addiction treatment to methadone. It has had success overseas, but is yet to be used in Australia, aside from another small trial in Sydney.

The building is a stone's throw from the bustling Degraves Street cafe strip.

There have been concerns among traders and some Melbourne City councillors that the hub will increase anti-social behaviour in the area and affect its amenity.

The southern end of Elizabeth Street in the city has been a hotspot for anti-social behaviour for some time.

Health Minister Ingrid Stitt rejected criticism that the centre would worsen the area.

"You've got to have the services where the drug harm is already occurring," she told the ABC during a tour of the new centre.

"It's actually going to improve the amenity because people will have somewhere they can come and be supported without judgement and get the services they need."

After debate, the Melbourne council said it backed the centre, but on the condition that the Victorian government minimises impacts on the local community once it opens.

"This is the biggest investment in community health in the central city in decades. It will make a real difference by providing vital healthcare services,'' Lord Mayor Nick Reece said.

"We also have a responsibility to our traders, workers, visitors and residents, who rightly expect our streets and public spaces to be safe, clean and well managed."

The opposition was the first to advocate for a hydromorphone trial. 

Shadow Minister Emma Kealy said the therapy had worked overseas, but the Coalition wanted to see more details on the Flinders Street centre if it won office.

Ms Kealy said ensuring local businesses and the community were consulted, and stakeholders' comfort was critical.

"Is the scope wide enough? Is it meeting the needs of the people who need that level of support and treatment? Is it in the right location?'' Ms Kealy said.

Advocates had hoped the centre would become Melbourne's second safe injecting room, with expert advice recommending in 2024 that the government establish a discreet service in the CBD.

But that was rejected by then premier Jacinta Allan in favour of the new health hub and hydromorphone trial. The state has also made access to overdose drug naloxone easier, including setting up free vending machines.

Number of Victorian lives lost to drug overdoses has risen in past decade

Recent data from the Coroners' Court found that in 2025 there were 632 Victorian overdose deaths, two-thirds of them involved illegal drugs. 

That's compared to 495 overdose deaths a decade earlier in 2016, and just over half of them involved illicit drugs.

Despite the growing numbers, a report by the court on the data states that the per capita figure had remained quite steady, attributing the rise in numbers to Victoria's growing population.

However, the same report said there had been a "notable" rise in the proportion of overdose deaths involving illicit drugs since 2023.

Alcohol and drug welfare groups have called for greater state investment in rehabilitation beds.

"The fact that the annual overdose deaths have now surpassed 600 should be an immediate call to action. This is more than double Victoria's road toll,'' Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association acting CEO Scott Drummond said.

"The other tragedy is that we know what works, yet despite this, evidence-based programs are hampered through misinformation and inaccurate stereotypes."

Under Labor, Victoria has introduced pill testing as well as the safe injecting room.

At a recent election forum, Mr Drummond called on all parties to commit to an additional $50 million in harm reduction funding.

Victoria's upper house crossbench MPs have been pushing drug reform, including the Greens and Libertarian David Limbrick.

Both fear hard-won reforms might be wound back under a Coalition, or Coalition-One Nation government after the election.

Mr Limbrick said he would continue to work with conservative parties to advocate for ongoing drug law reform.