the opening of a “shooting room”, a relief for users and fears among local residents

After Paris and Strasbourg, a third “shooting room” is to be created in France. The opening is scheduled for early January, in the 4th arrondissement of Marseille.

From January 2024, around a hundred drug users are expected to pass through the large wooden doors at 110 Boulevard de la Libération in Marseille every day. In this building lent by the municipality, an “Addiction care center”, or “shooting room”, will be open seven days a week. Users will be able to go there with their doses, without fear of controls. Cocaine, crack, heroin, medications… They will simply have to show the product they are coming to consume before they can sit down.

Reduce the risk of abscesses and overdoses

“We will have six places for injections, six places in closed and ventilated boxes for people who smoke as well as two stations for sniffing”explains Stéphane Akoka, director of the Asud Mars Say Yeah association which is leading the project. “These consumptions will be made in hygienic conditions with the possibility of washing hands and taking the time to prepare the product correctly.”

“We will have fewer abscess problems and therefore fewer trips to the emergency room for users. In this space, there will be a nurse who can intervene immediately in the event of an overdose.”

Stéphane Akoka, director of Asud Mars Say Yeah

in franciffo

Consumers will have to follow a journey. After their time in the consumption room, they will go to the rest room where they will be able to meet social workers, nurses and a doctor. The target audience is very precarious: those who live and take drugs on the street, those who are furthest from the healthcare system. The idea is to create “gateways” summarizes the association in charge of the structure.

The premises will thus be shared with the Public Assistance of Marseille Hospitals (AP-HM) and in particular with doctors specializing in street psychiatry. “People will not come to seek psychiatric follow-up but to consume. It is up to us to be available if there is a wish to take treatment or to wean themselves. There are a whole bunch of things that we can do if people are asking for it and are ready”explains Aurélie Tinland, psychiatrist.

“We will have clean equipment, in a clean place”

For users, the opening of this room is a relief. “Phew”repeats Sonia, 53, three times. “I’ve been a drug addict for 30 years. Cocaine, crack, heroin, morphine, I’ve done all the drugs”, she explains. For a long time, Sonia “shootée” in cellars or parking lots. She remembers the dirt, the attacks. Today, she takes substitute products in her accommodation.

“If there had been a consumption room when I was doing drugs, I wouldn’t have gotten HIV.”

Sonya, 53 years old

at franceinfo

“There, we will have clean equipment, in a clean place. If they want to see fewer syringes on the ground, fewer drug addicts doing anything, there has to be a place like that!”, exclaims Sonia, thinking of the residents of the future Halte. She says “to understand” their concerns.

A room close to schools and shops

Neighbors on Boulevard de la Libération denounce an unsuitable location for this “shooting room”. The “Cinq avenues” district (4th arrondissement) is an area spared from street consumption. “We are going to expand the consumption area, add more where there is none”, gets annoyed Daniel Fernandez. He is a member of a collective opposing the project which brings together around thirty local residents. He is also the father of two children.

“There are 5,000 children, from nursery to high school, circulating in this area. That scares me.”

Daniel Fernandez, member of a collective opposing the shooting room

at franceinfo

Fear and anger also drive some traders. “It risks completely transforming the neighborhood and reducing turnover”explains Agnès, florist. “Tomorrow if this room opens, I’m not sure I’ll be comfortable walking home”adds Sandra, employee of a café.

Cameras, security guards and mediators

To ensure security around the room during opening hours, a security guard and cameras are provided. In the event of an incident, a direct number will allow the supervisory team to contact the sector police station. Three street mediators will also be deployed every day in the neighborhood. But local residents fear that users will remain near the room after its closure.

“The location will always be a problem, whatever it is”, explains Michèle Rubirola, doctor and first deputy mayor of Marseille in charge of public health. She ensures that the municipal building is not too far from places of consumption. “It is within a twenty-minute walk around the places of wandering, near the station”, explains the chosen one. The advantage is that its large interior courtyard will allow users to wait out of sight, to avoid crowds on the sidewalks as we can see in Paris. Opening hours will also be designed around class outings to protect children.

The town hall must convince. Local residents will have their say when the time comes to review the experiment, in 2025. In the meantime, the project piloted by the municipality, the Regional Health Agency and the prefecture, is still awaiting a final signature from the Ministry of Health. Cheers to being able to truly open the doors of this very first consumption room in Marseille.