Back Thomas Andersson: "Experience from Swedish regions shows that syringe exchange services reduce harm from addiction"

Thomas Andersson:

"Today 17 of 21 Swedish regions offer syringe exchange services, and Sweden is exploring trials for health centres with a drug consumption room at the regional level," said Thomas Andersson (Sweden, ILDG), Chair of the Congress Current Affairs Committee and chair of the Regional Council of Jämtland and Härjedalen, at the European Symposium on Drug Consumption Rooms (DCRs) held on 1 July 2021.

"Syringe exchange limits the infection and the spread of diseases such as hepatitis C and HIV. They help decrease the amount of deaths related to drug poisoning," Andersson explained, highlighting efforts in Sweden to reduce the harm caused by addiction.

"These initiatives can serve as an entry point into the health care system for people who want to get out of the addiction trap. Through these services, they can get closer to social services and access care for voluntary treatment," Andersson added.

The Symposium was co-organised by the City of Strasbourg, the Pompidou Group of the Council of Europe and the Ithaque Association, which manages Strasbourg’s Argos Low-Risk Drug Consumption Room, in partnership with the Interministerial mission to combat drugs and addictive behaviour (Mildeca), the ARS regional health agency for the Grand Est region, The European Forum for Urban Security (EFUS) and the Correlation Network.

Current affairs committee Strasbourg, France 1 July 2021
  • Diminuer la taille du texte
  • Augmenter la taille du texte
  • Imprimer la page