A new approach to drugs?- “Fix Rooms” plan for Glasgow
31st October 2016
A controversial new plan to set up so called “fix rooms” in Glasgow has hit the headlines today. “Fix Rooms”, which already exist in many parts of Europe, are places where drug addicts can go and inject safely under supervision. The idea is that these rooms take vulnerable people off the streets and gives them a safe, clean place to inject under appropriate supervision from trained professionals. Too many, the idea may sound absurd at first; why would we as a society advocate drug use? Many understandably fear that rates of use would sky rocket and that young people would be sent the message that’s its “ok” to take hard drugs. However, evidence suggests there are many supposed benefits:
- Addicts on the street are responsible for the huge amount of discarded needles which pose a huge health and safety risk. The “fix rooms” would aim to dramatically reduce the amount of waste on public streets by limiting use to designated clinics.
- Addicts often face problems such as homelessness, mental health issues, overdose and blood-borne diseases. By allowing vulnerable people safe spaces to inject with clean needles and medical-grade product it is hoped that some of these issues can be alleviated.
- Facilities will put addicts in touch with professionals such as medics and social workers in order to provide advice and support.
- Whilst the obvious overall aim is to assist people to become drug free, until someone is ready to accept treatment keeping them and the public safe is a priority.
There are many examples of similar programmes already in place across the continent. In Paris for example, a “drug room” was opened earlier this month in area where drug crime is common. The facility allows addicts a safe place to inject as well as providing substitutes for hard drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine. There are currently plans to open two more similar units in France in the future. The first European facility of this kind was opened in Switzerland in the mid 80’s. Since then several have opened up throughout the country and rest of Europe and have shown positive effects on reducing drug related deaths, increased take up of rehabilitation programmes, reducing risky behaviour such as needle sharing and a reduction in drug related property and violent crime. As yet no evidence has been found to suggest that the existence of such facilities has increased drug use in those areas where they are set up. Further information on various facilities around the world can be found here.
The idea of “allowing” individuals to take hard drugs and even helping them to do so safely will always be controversial but the evidence so far suggests that allowing vulnerable people access to safe and secure facilities has numerous benefits not only for them but for the community as a whole. Many have long campaigned for substance abuse to be treated as a social health issue rather than a legal one. The “war on drugs” has not been particularly successful so far, with rates of use on the rise, our prisons filled above capacity and more and more designer drugs or legal highs coming onto the market faster than they can be criminalised. By taking drugs off the streets and out of the hands of criminals we could, over time make a real difference to the streets of some of the most deprived areas of the country. What if we were to see addicts as people in need rather than immoral criminals? Perhaps it’s time to try a new approach based on treatment, rehabilitation and understanding as opposed to criminalisation and reproach? After all, the former doesn’t appear to be working that well so far.