Successful measures to reduce an open drug scene
Background: Zurich has been operating supervised drug consumption rooms (DCR) for over 30 years. In 2022, a centrally located DCR had to be relocated to the outskirts of the city. From 2023, an open drug scene developed in a park in the city center of Zurich. Users smoked crack cocaine in the park, there was dealing and procurement prostitution. The park is located in a residential area and is used by the population all year round (meeting point, water basin for children, sports activities). It has also always been a meeting point for people with alcohol-related illnesses. This coexistence basically worked well, but has been severely impaired by this new scene. Pressure from the public grew, the media became aware of this and the pressure to act increased.
Methods: The situation required a rapid and coordinated approach, involving all stakeholders. The measures were developed and implemented in joint committees with representatives from different professions (social work, police, culture and city cleaning). Outreach teams were out several times a day, talking to the various groups on site, explaining where users could receive support and were allowed to use safely. Sex workers were given advice in the office close to the scene. Residents were informed at a walk-in event. Training and information events were held for employees of the surrounding schools and daycare centers. The police formed a special unit and greatly increased their presence and repression in the affected area. Regular meetings at all levels ensured communication between all parties involved. Thanks to high media and political pressure and shortened processes, the city authorities succeeded in opening a second DCR in a central location after a few months.
Results: The methods used led to an easing of the situation. The population was motivated to continue using the park proactively. The new DCR opened in fall 2023 helped to further ease the situation. The close cooperation between outreach social work (sip züri), the municipal police and those responsible for the DCR was the key to success. In addition, an extended group of users was granted access to the DCR. By maintaining a constant presence in the open drug scene and offering support, but also by communicating a zero-tolerance policy, users were referred to DCR on the one hand and the neighborhood was relieved on the other.
Conclusions: Close cooperation between the four pillars of drug policy (prevention, therapy, harm reduction, repression) – has proven to be a lasting success. This enables rapid communication and a closely coordinated approach in crisis situations. The DCR must be easily accessible for the users and be located in their living space. It is important to keep pace with the challenges of the present, i.e. we must keep ourselves constantly informed about the substances consumed and their forms of use, we must know the associated behaviors of the users and take appropriate measures in the facilities.
