Drug Consumption Rooms (DCRs) are supervised spaces where people who use drugs can consume pre-obtained substances in a safe and hygienic environment under the supervision of trained staff. They prevent overdoses, reduce health risks, and connect clients with essential health and social services, often reaching people who are excluded from traditional healthcare settings.

This side event aimed to create an open space for direct government-to-government dialogue, bringing together policymakers and field experts from countries with operational DCRs. The session focused on dispelling myths and misconceptions, presenting evidence-based results, and sharing practical lessons from existing sites on navigating political, legal, and social barriers.

Speakers and panelists:

• Jane Mounteney – the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA)
• Viktor Mravčík – Czech Republic
• Joana Teixeira – Portugal
• Anastasios Trakakis – Greece
• Marie Jauffret-Roustide – INSERM Representatives of Drug Consumption Rooms:
• Gaia – Paris
• Ares do Pinhal – Lisbon
• Metzineres – Barcelona
• Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) – Dublin

Moderators:

• Katrin Schiffer – C-EHRN
• Hugo Faria – Ares do Pinhal

The event was organised by De Regenboog Groep with the support of Greece, Czechia, Portugal, Ares do Pinhal, the Correlation – European Harm Reduction Network, Gaia Paris, Merchants Quay Ireland, Metzineres, the European Network of Drug Consumption Rooms, the European Union Civil Society Forum on Drugs and the European Union Drugs Agency.

The recording of “Drug Consumption Rooms in Practice: Facts, Myths, and Lessons Based on Experience and Evidence” can be found below.