Spritzenräume

Spritzenräume, also known as supervised injection sites or safe consumption sites, are publicly sanctioned facilities where individuals can consume pre-obtained drugs under the supervision of trained medical staff. The primary goals of these facilities are to reduce the harms associated with drug use, such as overdose deaths, the spread of infectious diseases like HIV and hepatitis C, and public drug consumption.

These sites typically offer sterile injection equipment, such as needles and syringes, to prevent the sharing of contaminated supplies. Medical personnel are present to respond to overdoses with emergency medical care, including the administration of naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal medication. Spritzenräume also often provide a range of other services, including health assessments, counseling, referrals to addiction treatment, and basic hygiene facilities.

The implementation of spritzenräume is a public health strategy aimed at harm reduction rather than solely abstinence-based approaches. Evidence from various cities that have established these sites suggests they are effective in reducing overdose deaths, decreasing the incidence of HIV and hepatitis C transmission, and reducing public drug use and discarded paraphernalia. Despite these benefits, spritzenräume have faced political and social opposition, often related to concerns about facilitating drug use. However, research generally indicates that they do not lead to increased drug use in the surrounding areas and can be a crucial link to healthcare for marginalized populations.