The professional acceptance of drug use: a closer look at drug consumption rooms in the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland

Abstract

In the last decade in a number of larger cities in Western Europe facilities have been initiated in which drug users are permitted to consume drugs like heroin and cocaine. In this paper we will look at the experiences with drug consumption rooms in Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands. Based on an analysis of the factors and measures that promote their success we will discuss the possible significance of drug consumption rooms for drug policy in the longer term.