Introduction
Safer drug consumption rooms (SCRs) are regulated spaces where individuals can use drugs they have already obtained while being watched over by staff members who have received the necessary training to support the individuals using them (Kennedy, Karamouzian and Kerr, 2017). These facilities were introduced to lessen the negative effects of drugs, including public drug use, disease transmission, and overdose deaths (Tran et al, 2021). The rationale for establishing SCRs lies in the principles of harm reduction, which focuses on minimizing the negative consequences of drug use rather than eliminating drug use itself. SCRs provide a controlled environment where injecting drug users can consume drugs under supervision, access clean injection equipment, and receive medical assistance in case of overdose or other health emergencies.
This essay will examine several studies and research findings to explore the specific focus on the efficacy of SCRs for injecting drug users in relation to the chosen theme of developing clinical practice.
The goal of developing clinical practice is to advance evidence-based, person-centred healthcare through a supported process (Bradd, Travaglia and Hayen, 2017). Vijayananthan and Nawawi (2008) states that for the planning, execution, monitoring, auditing, documentation, analysis, and reporting of clinical trials is classed as Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and is an international standard of ethical and scientific quality.
The research from Biancarelli et al, 2019 it can be determined that Individuals who inject drugs (PWIDs) report low use of healthcare facilities and a high frequency of stigma and discrimination during their access. To help people with addiction attain the best potential level of health, it is essential to replace unfavourable attitudes with evidence-based interventions (Barlett et al, 2013).
Political ramifications, unfavourable media coverage, societal displeasure, and moral and ideological concerns all contribute to the continued controversy surrounding DCRs. Because of this, the implementation of DCRs is still a hot topic on political agendas in many nations, including the UK (Smith and Nicaise, 2019).
As part of Scotland’s caring, compassionate and human rights informed drug policy (2023) it states that Scotland`s existing operating environment, imposed by UK law, limits its ability to enact evidence-based policies based on a public health approach and calls for a review of the drug laws.
According to National Records of Scotland (2023) there was a reported 1,051 drug related deaths in Scotland in 2022, opiates and opioids were the most frequently implicated drug kinds in drug misuse deaths, accounting for 82% of all deaths.
According to the research of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (2018) In terms of the intervention’s historical evolution, Berne, Switzerland saw the opening of the first supervised drug use room in June 1986. There are now over one hundred safer drug consumption facilities (SDCFs) operating in at least sixty-six cities across ten nations globally (Scottish Government, 2021).
Literature reviews, according to Winchester and Salji (2016), are the synthesis of research results and contrasting viewpoints on subjects to expand understanding and develop the subject. This topic was chosen due to my time on clinical practice in a community addiction team and my experience dealing with patients who are injecting drug users.
