Survey reveals high support for supervised drug use rooms in Finland
Recent research According to a survey conducted by the A-Clinic Foundation, 40% of Finns say they would accept a supervised drug use room in their hometown. The survey results also show that there are ambivalent attitudes towards drug users in Finland. 52% of respondents believe that drug use should be considered a criminal offence, but 44% prefer the Finnish word for drug addict instead of using the term “huumeiden käyttäjä” or drug user I prefer to use the term “narkomaani”.
The survey also highlights the need for more information on the nature of addiction, as Finland remains one of the leading European countries in terms of the number of young people dying from drug use.
Acting CEO of A-Clinic Foundation, Hannah Paikala, emphasizes that drug addiction is a disease that is cured by support, not by judgment. . She also points out that drug users are not second-class citizens and solutions to the problem must focus on saving lives and building a more humane society.
The survey also shows that 45% of respondents are in favor of having a monitored drug consumption room and 40% are willing to have a drug consumption room in their hometown. The high percentage of supporters indicates that Finns are increasingly aware that drug addiction is a problem that can also affect their communities.
Paikkala also stresses the need to address the stigma of drug addiction. She calls for the decriminalization of drug use. This will allow more drug users to seek the help they need.
Furthermore, the findings suggest that attitudes towards drugs in Finland are highly politicized, with a sharp divide between right-wing and left-wing voters. This observation is especially important as the country prepares for the upcoming parliamentary elections.
In conclusion, the survey reveals conflicting attitudes towards drug users in Finland and highlights the need for more information on addiction. The high percentage of supporters of monitored drug consumption chambers in this country indicates that more people are beginning to recognize the need to address the problem of drug addiction. and removing the stigma attached to drug addiction are essential steps in building a more humane society.
HT
https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/domestic/23164-survey-reveals-high-support-for-supervised-drug-consumption-rooms-in-finland.html Survey reveals high support for supervised drug use rooms in Finland
