Drug Consumption Rooms (DCRs) offer a pragmatic solution to the risks associated with public injecting. Evidence clearly & undoubtedly demonstrates that DCRs are proven to be effective in reducing Drug Related Deaths, Blood Borne Viruses, Crime, Needle Litter, Injecting Related Complications, and act as a gateway to Drug Treatment.
Furthermore, DCRs are also proven to be cost-effective. Hospitalisation & Health Care for Overdoses & other Injecting Related Complications (abscesses, ulcers, DVT, HIV & HCV etc.) is extremely costly. DCRs allow individuals to inject their drugs under medical supervision, therefore greatly reducing these risks.
DCRs have been successfully implemented throughout Europe (as well as North America & Australia) for over 25 years. It is time the UK follows suit. Birmingham has an estimated 10.500 Problematic Drug Users. Over half are HCV Positive and 3 people, on average, die every month from Overdoses. It is time we look after the most vulnerable in our City in a pragmatic & effective way.