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France to trial first drug ‘safe house’ in Paris
Published: 05 Feb 2013 17:25 GMT+01:00 | Print version
Updated: 05 Feb 2013 17:25 GMT+01:00
The French government has given the green light to open a 'safe house' for drug addicts in Paris, where they will be able to inject using clean needles and without fear of landing in trouble with the police.
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The French Prime Minister’s office confirmed on Tuesday the safe zone will open on an experimental basis and will be managed by the "Inter-ministerial mission for the fight against drugs and drug addiction" (Mildt) in conjunction with the Ministry of Health.
Drug 'safe houses', referred to in French as “salles des shoot” (shoot up rooms) are currently illegal in France. They are designed to get vulnerable addicts off the streets and into a safer environment where conditions are more hygienic.
The location of the planned drug centre in the capital has not been revealed and authorities have not stated when it will open.
France's Minister for Health, Marisol Touraine announced last year that the government would be looking to experiment with safe houses for addicts in 2013.
Similar venues are set to open in several other cities across France.
The scheme has provoked an angry response among members of France's opposition UMP party.
In a statement released on Tuesday UMP party secretary Camille Bedin said: "If one of these centres opens up then families living near by will suffer from the scourge of drug trafficking.
“Prevention and punishment are the best means to fight against drugs, not consumption. The government is sending out the message that it tolerates drug trafficking.”
It has been widely reported the first safe house will be locate in the city's Gare du Nord area.
"Addicts need help, not a place to take drugs" - click here to find out what the people of Gare du Nord think about the project.
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