Are Drug Consumption Rooms (DCRs) for drug users feasible in Belgium?
A Drug Consumption Room (DCR) is a facility intended for illicit drug users. It offers a secured, hygienic environment supervised by trained clinicians for the use of pre-obtained drugs. It is a harm reduction setting, for the drug user and for society. Indeed, DCRs contribute to improve the health of drug users decreasing the risks linked to the share of non-hygienic injection material, overdose, and facilitating the contact with other care facilities. DCRs also improve the security and quality of life in the public space by reducing waste and damage. The first ever DCR was established in 1986 in Switzerland. Since then, almost one hundred DCRs have been opened, in particular in Canada, in Australia, in Spain, and more specifically for Belgium, in our four neighbouring countries: Germany, the Netherlands, Luxemburg, and France (since 2016).
However, there is no DCR in Belgium because, despite scientific evidence, the topic remains a controversial policy issue. A feasibility study on DCRs, "DRUGROOM", carried out in partnership between the University of Ghent and the Institute of Health and Society (IRSS) of the UCL, has just been released. With a scientific literature review, an assessment of the legal framework, and interviews with stakeholders (policy-makers, law and enforcement actors, health and social care professionals, and drug users) in the 5 main Belgian cities (Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, Charleroi, and Liège), the study identified the feasible options and provides practical recommendations for DCRs establishment. The main barrier identified is legal, as changes in the law should be considered.
Vander Laenen F., Nicaise P., Decorte T., De Maeyer J. De Ruyver B., Smith P., Favril L. et al., DRUGROOM – Feasibility study on drug consumption rooms in Belgium, BELSPO 2018, available on dial: http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/194734