Pubdate: Thu, 06 May 1999 Source: Illawarra Mercury (Australia) Copyright: Illawarra Newspapers Contact: http://mercury.illnews.com.au/ ZERO TOLERANCE FOR DRUGS GALLERY Police Raid Kings Cross T-Room Police made their first move against an illegal heroin shooting gallery in Sydney's Kings Cross yesterday, gathering evidence for possible prosecutions against its organisers. But the officers found no addicts using the Wayside Chapel's so-called Tolerance Room, or T-Room, and left empty-handed after taking video footage of unused tables and chairs. One addict ran out of the room shortly after police arrived, then injected herself outside the chapel, just metres from assembled media. Police interviewed the chapel's pastor, Reverend Ray Richmond, and other T-Room volunteers, with Kings Cross Patrol Commander Bob Myatt warning further action was being considered. "We have gathered evidence, we'll be gathering more evidence and we'll be analysing that evidence and we'll be taking any appropriate action that we need to take," Mr Myatt said. No one was arrested and police did not tell organisers to close down the T-Room. While police were anxious not to turn T-Room organisers into martyrs, drugs campaigner Tony Trimmingham claimed their presence was harassment and would not stop the controversial facility. "Of course it's harassment. Their presence here is designed to turn people away from the place," Mr Trimmingham said. He said police in the T-Room were courteous but had indicated they would visit it again on Friday and whenever it subsequently opened. NSW Christian Democrats MP Fred Nile turned up outside the chapel and claimed police acted after complaints he made to Commissioner Peter Ryan and Mr Myatt yesterday morning. Police have been under pressure to act all week and Mr Nile said the law would have become a joke had they ignored yesterday's activities. Mr Richmond said some addicts used the T-Room today but many were discouraged by a large media pack gathered outside the chapel in anticipation of a police raid. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D