For the three years I have lived in North Richmond, every time I catch the tram near the corner of Lennox and Victoria streets I know what I will encounter. I will walk down a street lined with syringes and come across either a drug exchange, a person injecting themselves or find someone laying barely conscious on the footpath.

I work at the local pub around the corner from my house and on a weekly basis we have someone come in attempting to shoot up. The regular punters know to put their foot against the door when someone suspicious walks past - to stop them from entering. The number of fatalities is a constant conversation amongst patrons and concerned residents living in the area.

The corner of Lennox and Victoria streets in north Richmond. Credit:Eddie Jim

Since the end of last year, I have had to call triple zero numerous times for people who have overdosed in the streets around my area. It is not uncommon coming home to sirens at any time, whether it be day or night.

Last week police attended to a stabbing right across from my house. That same week, I walked down my street where I looked into a parked car and saw two men in hi-vis shooting up.