51 billion dollars, the amount spent annually by the U.S. in the ongoing war on drugs, a colossal failure that has actually caused additional problems. Many different solutions have been proposed and tested, yet few have been successful in cutting down drug usage. After research, I have discovered that there is an alternative that will save millions a year, reduce drug related crimes, and lower the levels of drug related deaths. This alternative involves not only allowing addicts to use their drugs in peace, but also to give them a safe, sanitary place to do so, having trained medical staff to supervise incase of overdoses, and even giving addicts the drugs they need.
In 1986 the first Drug Consumption Room (DCR) was opened in Berne, Switzerland. Drug Consumption Rooms are governed centers where drug addicts can use drugs in safer and more sanitary conditions with safety measures incase of overdose or other reactions. In the time since the first DCR was opened, over 90 other facilities have been implemented into Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Luxembourg, Norway, Canada, Denmark, and Australia. These facilities are combined with access to other mental, social, and health treatments, to promote a non-traditional recovery program that works to wean addicts off the drugs slowly while providing mental support for them. It is reported that 26 people have dropped out of treatment at the clinics, the majority of which are moving on to treatment without heroin such as methadone or to quit completely.
According to the Danish National Board of Health, this treatment has; reduced the number of days spent on crimes to a third, increased the number of addicts who find permanent housing by 30%, and Reduced side abuse so that addicts drink 50 percent less alcohol, and the abuse of benzodiazepines such as Valium has been reduced to a third. John Strang, a