Pubdate: Thu, 06 Apr 2006 Source: Copenhagen Post, The (Denmark) Copyright: 2006 The Copenhagen Post Contact: http://www.cphpost.dk/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1941 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Safe Injecting Rooms) HEALTH MINISTER EASES DRUG ROOM STANCE The minister of health takes a tentative step towards allowing drug users to shoot up under the observation of health professionals A long-standing battle between residents in the Vesterbro neighbourhood and the government over legal drug injection rooms may be drawing to a close. The minister of health, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, announced on Wednesday that he would push for a facility where some addicts could shoot up. The injection room will provide a place for drug addicts to inject prescription drugs such as methadone while under the supervision of health professionals, who will also serve as counsellors. Rasmussen's turnaround came after a meeting with Mikkel Warming, the deputy mayor for social affairs, and the Association for a Solution to the Narcotics Problem in Vesterbro. Vesterbro, once notorious for its prostitutes, sex shops and drug addicts, has undergone a gentrification process in recent years. New residents, who often find used syringes on their property, have pleaded with local and national officials to find a place where addicts can take their drugs. Copenhagen's City Council has supported the residents, but the Liberal-Conservative government has blocked the efforts. 'The sad thing is that the government won't give us permission,' said Lord Mayor Ritt Bjerregaard earlier this week. Earlier this week, the association announced plans that it would open its own injection room. In addition to political support, Rasmussen set aside DKK 10m to be used over the next four years by Vesterbro organisations. A minority of the drug users in Vesterbro are addicted to methadone, and Warming had hoped that the minister would also permit heroin addicts to use the rooms. Rasmussen, however, said permitting the use of illegal drugs sent the wrong signal. Although Conservative councillors support the injection rooms, Conservative MPs did not: 'This sounds like a slippery slope on the way towards true injection rooms,' said health issues spokesperson Helle Sjelle. 'How can we be sure that addicts aren't using illegal narcotics in the injection rooms?' - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom