DCRs Expert Interview Series; Expert DCR (Drug Consumption Rooms), Global Platform for Drug Consumption Rooms
What is your opinion on drug consumption rooms?
"I work for the opening of Drug Consumption Rooms since
1998. I am interested in about my
professional activity. I was responsible for the
organization "AIDES" for the Fight against AIDS
(Mulhouse city) a program of Harm Reduction. The city of
Mulhouse borders with Germany and Suisse or structures existed for years. Drug users I
accompanied knew their existances and 1/3 were using.
In 2001, I published in an academic paper, a report « Le
"Tourisme d'assistance" des Usagers de drogues. Vers l'ouverture d'une salle d'injection à
moindre risque » published in editions
L’Harmattan <http://www.harmattan.fr/index.asp?navig=catalogue&obj=livre&isbn=274754401X>.
The same year, he organized the first National Day on Drug
Consumption Rooms with many
local and foreign experts
<http://www.salledeconsommation.fr/litteraturefranc/ludic-actesjourn-e-d-bat-r-duction-des-risques-salles-d-injection-moindre-risque.-mulhouse-30-octobre-2001.pdf>.
In 2005, I published a second academic study in
partnership with the organization LUDIC (selfsupporting drug users in Mulhouse city): « "…on peut franchir le
pas, faire un essai.", Structures d'accueil avec possibilité de consommer à moindre risque
des drogues »
<http://www.salledeconsommation.fr/bibliography/bernard-bertrand-...on-peut-franchir-lepas-faire-un-essai-ludic-juillet-2005.pdf>.
My opinion is built on my field experience and science.
The Drug Consumption Rooms are one
link in the Harm Reduction which wants no moral or no
philosophical or no political but
pragmatic, human. Save lives, is not this the most
important?"
Do you think that drug consumption rooms are
helpful for drug users? (Please detail…)
"Yes. See next question
The Drug Consumption Rooms help reintegrate drug users in
the city
The Drug Consumption Rooms allow better “management” of
consumption and thus a
reduction in consumption"
Please specify what problems could be solved by
drug consumption rooms.
"The Drug Consumption Rooms provide education and
information on safer practices "in
vivo" at the time of consumption. Essential that
education is suited to the observation of
the practices of people, as opposed to broadcast in the
needle exchange programs that
can not be precarious situations where users inject their
drugs or alternative treatment
into account posts eg in hygiene unfit
The introduction of Drug Consumption Rooms offers a
cost-effective, which should encourage
policymakers to action: In addition to the tragic and
costly loss of human lives, some harm may be avoided or mitigated. This would lead to benefits in
terms of Health Economics (treatment for chronic diseases, emergency services ...) like the
needle exchange programs to reduce the spread of HIV. The costs of implementing repressive laws
against crime and drug abuse can also be reduced: these resources could be devoted to the
prevention, treatment and care Health"
In which area of the city do you think should be
located such a place?
"The Drug Consumption Rooms must be installed in areas
frequented by drug users. There is no interest or install it nothing happens! The aim is also to
soothe and reduce the problems of a neighborhood. This for all your program Harm reduction"
What perception would the community have on a drug
consumption room in their area of living?
"The fears of residents on installing "SCMR" are
natural and legitimate: fear of seeing happen all drug users in other areas (“pôt
de miel”) fear
of crime increase, incitement to drug use; Image give young people ... Today, we have 27 years of
experience "SCMR" (the first to open in Bern, Switzerland in 1986).
After some time of operation, opposed to Drug Consumption
Rooms residents are seeing the
effects in their neighborhood, and often it has been seen
that these residents asked the
extenstion of hours of Drug Consumption Rooms
Some misconceptions about Drug Consumption Rooms:
1. The "SCMR" prevent drug user to aim for
abstinence
On the contrary! The Drug Consumption Rooms are intended
to assist the user in maintaining
their health consumption period, while informing the
various existing therapeutic programs. A
health sharply deteriorated is a handicap, not an
advantage, consider stopping consumption.
For example, it was found in Vancouver, a 30% increase in
requests for substitution treatment
and withdrawal from the opening of the ‘Insite’ Drug
Consumption Room
2. The Drug Consumption Rooms are not effective answer
must wean (and punishment) and
not encourage.
Weaning imposed leads to a vast majority of situations, a
relapse that increases the risk of fatal overdose. Most people who lived in addiction need time to
develop the basis for a change in their life course. It is unrealistic to expect an abrupt
change lifestyle or to make a radical break with their social environment
3. The Drug Consumption Room give an inconsistent message
to youth
It is never inconsistent to offer people ways to better
protect their health and protect against
injury or damage. Not to be a "non-assistance to
people in danger"
4. The Drug Consumption Rooms are legitimizing drug use
inconsistent with the prohibition of
drugs
The society is faced with the reality of drug use although
it is a transgression of the legal
standard. Survival and improving the health of "those
people" also require a pragmatic and
responsible approach
5. The Drug Consumption Rooms are places where illegal
drugs are distributed
No drug is distributed or in the Drug Consumption Rooms or
in needle exchange programs.
When entering a Drug Consumption Room people who want to
use must already be in
possession of the product. It should therefore not confuse
Drug Consumption Room with the
medicalized heroin programs where substitution treatment
is prescribed by a medical team
6. The Drug Consumption Rooms attract "dealers"
No dealer enters the Drug Consumption Rooms under
Regulation places (the deal is prohibited within and in the immediate vicinity of the structures).
To maintain the social peace of the neighborhood, the Drug Consumption Rooms works in
partnership with local stakeholders, including with police
7. The Drug Consumption Rooms increasing insecurity and
sacrifice an entire neighborhood
It has been shown that crime does not increase with the
installation of Drug Consumption
Rooms. The legitimate concerns expressed by the neighbors
are taken into account, including
information and mediation meetings. Citizen tool, the Drug
Consumption Rooms allow "living
together" with accountability of drug (The Drug
Consumption Rooms also limit the risk of
abandonment of syringes in public spaces)
8. The Drug Consumption Rooms create new consumers among
young
People who do not use drugs can not access the Drug Consumption
Rooms. In addition, in
Europe, the onset of action of Harm Reduction coincides
with a progressive decrease in new
drug injection. This development is especially important
for heroin injectors"
Who should support the costs to open a drug
consumption room?
"The Drug Consumption Rooms are part of the device Harm
Reduction is a public health policy. I do not quite know how other countries but the state, the
local community must contribute to their funding."
From your experience, what were the obstacles in
developing such a service.
"The only obstacles are political.
A policy based on the "war on drugs" which we
know to fail.
A policy that confuses "fight against
trafficking" and "fight against drug users"
A
policy based on morality and not on experience, pragmatic and science."
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| Photo source: Plateforme Mondiale SCMR - Global Platform DCR |
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