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?'