Drug Consumption Rooms in Belgium: between health and safety

Guillain, Christine [UCL]

On an international scale, Drug Consumption Rooms (DCR) have existed for 35 years, and much evidence has been collected about their beneficial effects. DCR reduce risks and harm associated with drug use for both people who use drugs (PWUD) and for society in terms of health and safety. However, it was not until 2022 that the first DCR was created in Brussels, after many political discussions and institutional obstacles, particularly concerning the distribution of competencies between the federal level (justice) and both regional and local authorities (health and safety). There are no DCR in Flanders, unlike in Wallonia (Liège), where a room opened in 2018, but without a proper legal framework. We propose to explain the socio-political process that led to the establishment of the first DCR in Brussels and present its most important characteristics (surroundings and neighborhood, target group of PWUD, service offers, staff working, evaluation, ...). We will also present the law of March 23rd, 2023, that modifies the Belgian law on drugs. The latter incriminates those who facilitate the use of certain substances by providing a space to consumers. The legal amendment thus aims to exempt from criminal prosecution those who work in DCR, so that they can work without fear of repression. It is nevertheless required that the facilitation of drug use has a prophylactic purpose against contagious diseases or, more generally, aims at reducing the risks linked to drug use. DCR must also be supervised by a qualified staff.