Future directions and emerging trends
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Module 1. Introduction and Foundation
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Module 2. Operational and Policy Frameworks
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Module 3. Monitoring, Evidence, and Future Trends
New Routes of Drug Use
Across Europe, heroin injection has been in decline for several years. In many countries, it has been increasingly replaced by the use of synthetic opioids or stimulants, which now present significant challenges to public health efforts (EMCDDA,2023). Within this dynamic landscape, many drug services, including DCRs, have had to adapt their services to the needs of local communities and market needs. This often involves addressing a broad range of practices and associated harms. In some countries. this includes providing spaces for non-injecting routes of administration, primarily smoking, and permitting the consumption of a wider range of substances within facility settings.
Gender-Specific Considerations
The need to create drug consumption rooms specifically for women is increasingly recognised as essential for addressing the unique challenges faced by female drug users. Women who use drugs frequently experience higher rates of violence, exploitation, and stigmatisation, which can deter them from seeking help in mixed-gender environments. Dedicated spaces for women provide a safe and supportive setting where they can access harm reduction services without fear of harassment or judgment. These specialised rooms can also offer tailored support services, such as counseling for gender-specific issues, reproductive healthcare, and protection from gender-based violence. This more focused approach ultimately strengthens harm reduction efforts by creating a welcoming and empowering space for women.
What should be changed
Country example: Hamburg, Germany
Ragazza is a low-threshold and acceptance-orientated contact point and shelter in Hamburg, Germany. Its services include in-house healthcare and drug use facilities and offers help for women engaging in drug-related sex work.
Aging drug population
As the population of older drug users continues to grow, addressing their unique needs and challenges becomes increasingly critical. Many of these individuals face homelessness, which exacerbates their health issues and hinders their access to care. Providing shelters that tolerate drug use is essential to ensure that older drug users have a safe place to stay. These shelters can offer a supportive environment where individuals can access healthcare services, harm reduction programmes, and social support, ultimately improving their quality of life and mitigating the risks associated with street-level drug use. Taking care of older drug users by providing them with appropriate housing and support is crucial for their well-being and that of the broader community.
Country example: Dutch
An example of such a place is Dutch Woodstock. In 2008, the caregivers at Parnassia noticed that the group of homeless and addicted people aged 45 and older was growing. They kept returning for care, were unable to kick their addiction, and were not capable of living completely independently, but increasingly needed a permanent place of their own. The idea for a housing facility for this group was born, and it was named ‘Woodstock’.