DCRs Expert Interview Series; Damon
Barrett - Deputy Director
Harm Reduction International
1. What is your opinion on drug consumption rooms?
"DCRs have proven to help people stay healthy, to reduce deaths from overdose, to reduce crime and other positive benefits. They are an essential harm reduction service."
2. Do you think that drug consumption rooms are helpful for drug users? (Please detail…)
"Yes, and I think this is well known now. One need only look at the evidence around the Insite Safe Injection Facility in Vancouver. Of course they must be well run, but, really, DCRs are subject to intense scrutiny and evaluation."
3. Please specify what problems could be solved by drug consumption rooms.
" ‘Solved’ is too strong a word, perhaps. But a lot of harm can be avoided and reduced. DCR’s won’t solve overdose deaths but they will save lives. They will not solve HIV but their will help reduce transmission.
They certainly cannot solve the problems many clients have faced in their lives, but they can show those people that they are valued and respected."
4. In which area of the city do you think should be located such a place?
"This depends on the city and patterns of use within it. If problematic use is located in a particular centre, like the downtown east side of Vancouver, then the DCR should be there. If it is spread out then perhaps more than one DCR is needed, or mobile DCRs may be the better option. Each city or locality needs to look at its own circumstances."
5. What perception would the community have on a drug consumption room in their area of living?
"I can’t answer this. Some will have community support, others may not."
6. Who should support the costs to open a drug consumption room?
"DCRs are in my view an essential health service and healthcare should be free at the point of delivery. I believe DCRs should be funded as part of national health systems, and would be happy to see my own taxes helping to achieve this."
7. From your experience, what were the obstacles in developing such a service.
"Politicians want to look tough on drugs, so zero tolerance approaches dominate. This wins votes, even though it’s harmful overall.
The message sent by DCRs is vitally important. The thing is, most politicians that oppose them, and members of the public, have the message wrong. They think this is about promoting or facilitating drug use. It’s not. Earlier you asked if DCRs are helpful for drug users. One of the most important things is what DCRs say to people who are at risk and experiencing real difficulties. It's that people care about them - not disease prevention or statistical gains - but them. I saw a documentary recently in which a drug user activist from Vancouver (Ann Livingstone) was asked what a safe injection facility would do for drug users in Vancouver. She put it really well (though I am paraphrasing) “It lets them know that people care if they remain alive.”"
Harm Reduction International
1. What is your opinion on drug consumption rooms?
"DCRs have proven to help people stay healthy, to reduce deaths from overdose, to reduce crime and other positive benefits. They are an essential harm reduction service."
2. Do you think that drug consumption rooms are helpful for drug users? (Please detail…)
"Yes, and I think this is well known now. One need only look at the evidence around the Insite Safe Injection Facility in Vancouver. Of course they must be well run, but, really, DCRs are subject to intense scrutiny and evaluation."
3. Please specify what problems could be solved by drug consumption rooms.
" ‘Solved’ is too strong a word, perhaps. But a lot of harm can be avoided and reduced. DCR’s won’t solve overdose deaths but they will save lives. They will not solve HIV but their will help reduce transmission.
They certainly cannot solve the problems many clients have faced in their lives, but they can show those people that they are valued and respected."
4. In which area of the city do you think should be located such a place?
"This depends on the city and patterns of use within it. If problematic use is located in a particular centre, like the downtown east side of Vancouver, then the DCR should be there. If it is spread out then perhaps more than one DCR is needed, or mobile DCRs may be the better option. Each city or locality needs to look at its own circumstances."
5. What perception would the community have on a drug consumption room in their area of living?
"I can’t answer this. Some will have community support, others may not."
6. Who should support the costs to open a drug consumption room?
"DCRs are in my view an essential health service and healthcare should be free at the point of delivery. I believe DCRs should be funded as part of national health systems, and would be happy to see my own taxes helping to achieve this."
7. From your experience, what were the obstacles in developing such a service.
"Politicians want to look tough on drugs, so zero tolerance approaches dominate. This wins votes, even though it’s harmful overall.
The message sent by DCRs is vitally important. The thing is, most politicians that oppose them, and members of the public, have the message wrong. They think this is about promoting or facilitating drug use. It’s not. Earlier you asked if DCRs are helpful for drug users. One of the most important things is what DCRs say to people who are at risk and experiencing real difficulties. It's that people care about them - not disease prevention or statistical gains - but them. I saw a documentary recently in which a drug user activist from Vancouver (Ann Livingstone) was asked what a safe injection facility would do for drug users in Vancouver. She put it really well (though I am paraphrasing) “It lets them know that people care if they remain alive.”"
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| Photo source: Plateforme Mondiale SCMR - Global Platform DCR |
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