Supervised injection site
Supervised injection sites (SIS) or drug consumption rooms (DCRs) are a health and social response to drug-related problems. They are fixed or mobile spaces where people who use drugs are provided with sterile drug use equipment and can use illicit drugs under the supervision of trained staff. They are usually located in areas where there is an open drug scene and where injecting in public places is common. The primary target group for DCR services are people who engage in risky drug use.
Cubicles for drug injection at a supervised injection site in Strasbourg
Naloxone, a drug on hand at clinics used to administer in cases of opioid overdose
Insite in 2008
Harm reduction, or harm minimization, refers to a range of intentional practices and public health policies designed to lessen the negative social and/or physical consequences associated with various human behaviors, both legal and illegal. Harm reduction is used to decrease negative consequences of recreational drug use and sexual activity without requiring abstinence, recognizing that those unable or unwilling to stop can still make positive change to protect themselves and others.
Needle exchange programs provide people who inject substances with new needles and injection equipment to reduce the harm (e.g., HIV infection) from needle drug use.
Drug paraphernalia available from a harm reduction NGO at a mobile supervised injection site in Berlin, Germany.
A bin allowing for safe disposal of needles in a public toilet in Caernarfon, Wales
A clandestine kit containing materials to inject drugs