Drug Consumption Rooms in France. In September 2015, the French Senate passed a new health law which, among other points, prescribes the opening of drug consumption rooms. Despite the opposition of the conservative senators, the majority of them supported the Article of the Law which prescribes the opening of drug consumption rooms in a six-year experimental period. Contrary to the conservative Senators, who called such rooms “the antechambers of death,” those who are pro support their decision with the experiences from other countries in Europe, Australia and Canada where the various advantages for the protection of life and health of people who use drugs, as well as the broader community have been confirmed. There are 80,000 injecting drug users in France, and 100 opioid overdose deaths per year. The introduction of drug consumption rooms is expected to decrease the number of overdose deaths and provide more humane conditions for treatment of people who use drugs. Recently Bulgaria also initiated the opening of drug consumption rooms. (Source: Drug Reporter)
Naloxone to be more available in England from October 2015. From October 1st, 2015, all services authorized for drug treatment in England will be able to distribute naloxone to those in need of this medicine. The authorities in England finally took into consideration the experts’ suggestions regarding the benefits of freer naloxone distribution in order to prevent opioid overdose. The Law allows naloxone to anyone needing it for the prevention of heroin overdose. Freer naloxone distribution is expected to be of benefit particularly to people who inject drugs, their families and friends, hotel managers and anyone who might be in a situation to save someone’s life. People who will receive naloxone will be trained in how to administer the drug. Although naloxone is safe for other use, the authorities do not allow distribution outside the lawful drug treatment services. (Source: Drink and Drugs News)
Harm reduction programs save lives and money in Washington D.C.Mathematical modeling was used to calculate that syringe exchange programs for injecting drug users have helped avert 120 potential HIV cases in the last two years in Washington D.C., USA. By preventing the spread of HIV, Washington D.C. managed to save $45.6 million, which is only part of the potential treatment costs for people who live with HIV/AIDS. The District previously refused to support harm reduction programs, however local authorities recognized that the benefits are by far higher than maintaining the conservative views in order to attract voters. More and more federal states in the USA are abandoning the conservative drug policies in support of harm reduction programs. (Source: Newsweek)
Black clouds looming over Harm reduction programs in Poland. The Warsaw Harm Reduction Foundation in Poland is facing possible closure due to the local government’s refusal to extend further support. The Foundation representative was told “you should think yourselves lucky you were even allowed to stay here this long.” The local government refuses to lease the property for the Foundation’s activities. Though on paper Poland approves of and supports harm reduction programs, the practice shows that the country is under the influence of the dominant Catholic conservative values and the organizations fighting against drug use. The National Bureau for Drug Prevention in Poland is too weak to challenge the local government in Warsaw and cannot offer proper support to harm reduction programs. Contrary to this, the Harm Reduction Foundation, the largest of its kind in Poland, is alone in its efforts to take care and service people who use drugs in Warsaw, facing resistance from the powerful conservative political currents. (Source: Drug Reporter)
Drug treatment centers managed by people who use drugs. There are over 150 Opioid Substitution Therapy Centers in India operated by NGOs, while similar programs are available in all government hospitals in five major cities. However, despite all efforts India is far from meeting the requirements of people who use drugs. People who seek help for themselves or their close ones face discrimination, incompetence, ignoring and lack of rehabilitation opportunities. In order to overcome the weakness members of the drug-using community are to be included in designing a new kind of treatment centers. (Source: India HIV/AIDS Alliance)
Bhutan to introduce substitution treatment therapy for people who use drugs. On August 14, 2015 Bhutan’s Minister of Health opened the first Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centre. This is the first time in the history of Bhutan that a center of this kind has been opened, the main reason being the Government’s intention to help people and thus decrease drug and alcohol use. The Minister also stated that there were 27 cases of drug overdose in the last six months in Bhutan. The treatment center will offer people with opioid addiction buprenorphine substation therapy and thus decrease mortality and other harmful consequences of drug use. The center was opened with the support of UNODC. (Source: Kuensel)
British Government urged to decriminalize drug use. In August 2015, the All Party Parliamentary Group for Drug Policy Reform of the British Parliament called for decriminalization of drug use and reexamining the possibilities for controlled cannabis sale. The All Party Parliamentary Group bases its views on the experience from Portugal, Uruguay, Bolivia and certain federal states of USA, which confirm that the introduction of humane drug policies decreases drug use and criminal and improves the wellbeing of the population. Co-chairwoman Baroness Meacher hoped the Government will consider the proposal and accept the recommendations; however a spokesperson for the government said the Government has no intention of decriminalizing or legalizing drugs. (Source: ITV)
Dilemmas regarding the ban of new psychoactive substances in Great Britain. Great Britain is considering a complete ban of new psychoactive substances, following the example of Ireland from 2010. The drugs, also known as legal highs, in Britain are available for free purchase in the so-called head shops however fears from the many unfortunate cases lead authorities to consider complete ban of their sale. This led to the dilemmas whether new psychoactive substances should be banned or more suitable solutions should be considered. Hence, while many support the ban, others warn that these substances will be available on the black market. Representatives of treatment centers warn that the ban might protect one community but will surely increase harm for other communities. The key argument of those opposing the ban is that the use of new psychoactive substances in 2014 Ireland, after the ban, increased 16% compared to 2011. (Resource: The Guardian)