I visited the Skyen drug consumption room in Copenhagen in 2015 as part of my work on street nuisance for Sussex police (From Denmark to Spain, drug rooms are helping save users’ lives, 21 November). It is a superb example of how a low-threshold service can offer a real chance of recovery for drug users with complex needs who are generally excluded from conventional services.
It is disappointing that our government doesn’t support the development of similar schemes for drug users here. But we do have some imaginative and accessible services for people who are alcohol dependant, such as the wet clinic in Bristol set up by two inspirational GPs, which allows street drinkers to bring alcohol with them when they visit the health services at the Compass Centre. It is a non-judgmental and safe service which is much valued by those who attend. It also achieves excellent results in encouraging people to attend detox services.
These services are based on developing relationships with people in order to encourage behaviour change, which is crucial when tackling addiction. We need more of them.
Helen Keats
Former national rough sleeping adviser, Department for Communities and Local Government
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