Definition
Drug consumption rooms (DCRs) have been defined as: ..."protected places for the
hygienic consumption of preobtained drugs in a non-judgemental environment and
under the supervision of trained staff". (Akzept , 2000)
HIV epidemic
In 2008 there were only three confirmed cases of HIV infection
and in 2012 there are 237 cases of confirmed. (Source: Department for
Monitoring and Evaluation HIV / AIDS in Romania - INBI
"Prof.Dr.M.Bals")
In 2010, according to the behavioral surveillance study on the prevalence of
infectious diseases among injecting drug users (IDUs), 15.7% IDUs said that at
last injection the syringes were used previously by another person. The lack of
hygienic spaces and sterile materials for each drug user increases the number
of infections associated with injecting drug use. (Source: National Report on
drugs in 2011, National Antidrug Agency)
In September 2012, the study was repeated by Romanian Angel Appeal, National
Antidrug Agency and Carusel Association among IDUs in Bucharest and Ilfov,
Romania. From the total of 417 respondents surveyed, the preliminary data shows
that about 50% of IDUs are infected with HIV, about 80% with HVC and about 20%
with hepatitis B.
Injecting drugs in
public spaces
Due to unhealthy environments, drug users are exposed to
infections such as abscesses, gangrene, due to injection of psychoactive
substances.
I conducted a study among IDUs about their consumption in
public spaces and I collected data about the manner in which people inject
drugs in Bucharest (especially unhygienic conditions) and locations where this
phenomenon occurs (apartment building hallways, next to garbage bins, parkings,
streets and so on.) Almost all of respondents from this study don’t have
hygienic spaces for injecting. They shoot often in public spaces. They don’t
have sterile equipment for injecting as syringes, distilled water or alcohol
wipes.
Drug user injecting
in a building hallway Photo: Diana Markosian//Reuters
Decriminalizing drug possession
From my point of view, decriminalizing drug possession would
be the most effective policy for Romania. Many benefits, as helping more people
get substitutive treatment, reduce HIV, HVC, and HVB epidemic, reduce
overdoses, Informed youth, fewer people arrested, reduce the criminal justice
costs are effective ways to reduce drug related harms in Romania.
Also, the abuses on injecting drug users from police
officers would be stopped. From my experience,
a big part of them are scared or traumatized about their experiences
with the police.
One article from the romanian law
which says that “providing any local, house or other place where the
public has access to illicit drugs consumption or illicit tolerance in such
places is punished with imprisonment from 3 to 10 years and interdiction of
certain rights” should be modified. If Romania’s law would decriminalize drug
possession and modify the article mentioned above, then would be easier to
develop DCRs.
Effectiveness of drug
consumption rooms
DCRs already exist in countries like Canada, Holland,
Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Norway, Spain, France, Australia, unfortunately in
Romania we do not have such places, but in exchange we have drug users
that are injecting in the streets and unsanitary places. In Romania are only
some illegal spaces for shooting but without hygienic conditions (ex: with no
water or electricity).
The effectiveness of DCRs is priceless among drug users.
They provide a safe environment that reduces risks related to drug use, a
hygienic area, reduce mortality, facilitate drug access to other services,
reduce public drug use associated with inappropriate behavior, reduce
infections and so on.
Who should support
the costs?
Below are opinions
of three specialists on this question. They are
part of a series of interviews
with experts that I’ve done it in March.
“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. “ (Damon
Barrett, Harm Reduction International)
“The local government should invest in DCRs as well as drug
treatment programs and medical centre’s.
All are important parts of a comprehensive network for providing
services for drug users. The DCR is an
entry point connecting drug users to such services. “ (Jason Farrell,
International Consultant)
DCRs are proposed in the draft on National Antidrug Agency’s
strategy for 2015 – 2020. This service should be funded by local public
authorities, but managed by NGOs.” (Ionut Alexandrescu, Drop-in Center Coordinator)
Conclusion/Personal
experience
The most important benefits of DCRs are to reduce the risks of infections
among drug users, access to sterile injection equipment, first aid in case of
overdose, drug removal from public spaces, attract consumers to a specialized
treatment and social reintegration.
Working at the Drop-in center, Caracuda Ferentari, developed by
Carusel Association, and interacting with IDUs, I have seen places in the
neighborhood where they use drugs. These spaces do not have a minimum of
hygiene, they often are injecting near the garbage bins or on the street, so
the risk for transmission of infections and overdose is very high. Injecting in public spaces
represents a big public health issue and DCRs would be the only viable option.
Ferentari
neighborhood – Bucharest; Photo: www.a1.ro
