Drugs: the Strasbourg injection room proves its worth

Already more than a year since the lower risk consumption room (SCMR) of Strasbourg Argos has opened its doors. After its inauguration on November 7, 2016, the establishment’s steering committee delivers its first assessment, which it qualifies as “success in terms of public tranquility”. In the space of one year, the Argos room received 391 patients, 183 infectious diseases were detected and no deaths were recorded.

Addressed as a priority to the most disadvantaged drug users, the SNMR aims to attract these people so that they can consume drugs in complete safety. The Ithaca association specializing in preventive addiction care, which manages the premises, has 391 regular users to date, with a frequency of between 50 and 80 daily visits. “We managed to reach the population we were trying to reach,” said Alexandre Feltz, deputy mayor of Strasbourg in charge of Health, in reaction to this first report of activity.

When it opened, the Strasbourg room had around thirty daily visits, most of which were people who inject cocaine. Women represent more than a third of this audience, aged 30 to 45 on average.

183 infectious diseases detected

Attendance at the room enabled the detection of 183 infectious diseases, including the HIV virus. The tests also made it possible to detect 13 cases of hepatitis C and hundreds of users were received for consultations with the doctors and nurses of Ithaca (listening, care, psychiatric interviews, etc.).

In France, lower risk consumption rooms have been authorized since the health law adopted in December 2015 dyears as part of an experiment scheduled for 6 years. The SMRC of Strasbourg is the second venue in France to have seen the light of day, after that of Paris inaugurated on October 14, 2016 son the site of the Lariboisière Hospital (10th arrondissement). A third room will open its doors in early 2018 at the Saint-André hospital in Bordeaux.