C-EHRN’s policy officer Roberto Perez presented the latest developments in drug consumption rooms (DCRs) at the INHSU2022 policy event.

During the presentation, the following developments were addressed;

• Adapting to the diversity of needs, values, lived experiences & contexts of
  people who use drugs
• Increasing the safety of people who use drugs & the broader community while reducing the negative effects of illicit drug markets
• Opportunities for monitoring & research

When looking at the diversity of needs of people who use drugs, Roberto addressed topics of homelessness, safer spaces for women and people of diverse SOGIESC, and broadening accessibility. Drug checking, “Challenging” substances and law enforcement innovations were presented as developments in increasing the safety of people who use drugs in this context. Finally, Roberto discussed real time insights and implementation research as ways of monitoring and research.

“DCRs are a local response to local needs, values, communities, lived experiences, histories & resources.”