Drug consumption rooms in Spain (2000-2013)

• Published in: Salud colectiva Vol. 11; no. 2; p. 261
• Main Author: Clua García, Rafael
• Format: Journal Article Book Review
• Language: English; Spanish
• Published: Argentina 01.06.2015
• Subjects: Harm Reduction; Health Policy; Humans; Preventive Health Services - methods; Preventive Health Services - organization & administration; Preventive Health Services - statistics & numerical data; Quality of Life; Safety; Spain; Substance-Related Disorders - therapy; Drug Dependence; Cocaine; Harm Reduction; Heroin; Spain
• ISSN: 1851-8265; 1851-8265
• DOI: 10.18294/sc.2015.688

The aim of this review is to provide a new interpretation of the results found in the scientific literature on drug consumption rooms (DCR) in Spain published from 2000-2013. A search was carried out using several data bases - PubMed, Índice Bibliográfico Español en Ciencias de la Salud (IBECS), Índice Médico Español (IME), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) and SIIS Centro de Documentación y Estudios - as well as other secondary sources and information solicited from professionals of DCR. A total of 21 articles or research reports, 17 presentations or speeches in specialized conferences, 5 journalistic reports and 2 institutional records were included in a meta-synthesis divided into different thematic areas. The opening of DCR is a public health strategy with positive effects for drug consumers and society as a whole, but this review demonstrates that technical, strategic and functional improvements are necessary to increase their effectiveness.