The UK’s first consumption room for illegal drugs was announced in September of this year; but is it a good idea?
One of the biggest criticisms of these treatment rooms is that they’re potentially prolonging addiction, whereas more funds should be put into treatments that help users fully quit.
Professor Andrew McCauley said: “They neither fight addiction or prolong it, they are not treatment services. They provide a low-threshold service to a vulnerable population suffering from extreme health inequalities. There is some evidence to suggest they can be effective at engaging people with treatment, but that is not their primary purpose.”
With the consumption room set to open its doors next summer, it is projected to cost the Scottish government £7m in its first three years. Despite the high amount of funds, it’s believed to be a worthwhile venture financially.
McCauley said: “The cost effectiveness evidence suggests they will pay for themselves once up and running in terms of the reduced burden and cost on the NHS.”
From the evidence gathered, it looks like the rewards outweighs the risks in regard to consumption rooms. Despite this they’re still a polarising topic among the general public.