Call to open drug 'shooting galleries' (for addicts to shoot up safely)

[arissa]

I don't think I'd be opposed to this. Addicts are going to do whatever it takes to get high anyway, and at least this way they would be off the streets and could be bombarded by staff with information on rehab programs, etc.

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health_medical/article570561.ece

Call to open drug 'shooting galleries'
PA
Published: 23 May 2006

Controversial facilities allowing drug addicts to inject themselves in hygienic surroundings should be trialled in Britain, a report from an influential charity said today.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation's report said the UK should pilot a series of "drug consumption rooms".

Similar facilities which already operate in eight other countries are sometimes called "shooting galleries" after the term "shooting up" for injecting illegal drugs such as heroin.

The charity said the move would offer a "unique and promising way" to help reduce the number of fatal overdoses.

It would also take drug use off the streets and reduce the problem of addicts littering the streets with discarded needles, it added.

(snip)

[The Straight Story]

1. Yeah - but they can't smoke there probably!!! (nt) :)

[Laughing Mirror]

5. Maybe it depends on what you're smoking

from the article:

Some drug consumption rooms overseas feature "smoking rooms" where addicts can smoke crack or heroin.

It doesn't say whether they allow you to bring your own music or have sex in these relaxation rooms, activities many users might associate with smoking crack, for example.

[seriousstan]

2. How about in an empty house next to your?

[tuvor]

3. It's been going on in Vancouver for almost three years.

http://www.vch.ca/sis/

[Asgaya Dihi]

4. It's a step, but not the best one

Since it's a British story I'll use a British example. They've tried methods with heroin before, one in particular worked REAL well and ran successfully till 60 Minutes broadcast about it and U.S. drug enforcers went nuts. They applied pressure and had it shut down. Nobody died on the program and it didn't feed crime, afterwords a couple dozen are dead and the criminal markets profit again.

Here's a link to an article that was written to profile a particular addict involved in the test in Britain a few years ago. http://www.dpft.org/anaddictsstory.htm

Another version of the same idea currently is currently run by the Swiss, there are trials being considered or started elsewhere too including in Canada unless it dies under the new government there. Both the Swiss and British versions are a lot better than what we're doing now, and better than what Britain is looking at doing this time. Problem with this is it still doesn't put them into contact with medical professionals who can guide and educate them, and it still funds the black markets, and purity and quality are still unknown and that's what kills people. The fix the US Government was dumb enough to kill didn't. Some info on the Swiss version. http://www.dpft.org/heroin.htm