Brussels will open a second risk-reducing drug consumption area near the Ribaucourt and Yser metro stations in the north of the city centre this summer, announced Brussels Health Minister Alain Maron.
There is currently only one such space where drug users can go in the Brussels-Capital Region: Gate, located next to Brussels Midi station, already reaches 150 users per day. However, the centre is currently at its limit.
Previously, Maron announced that a second such space would be added and he now confirmed that the opening of the so-called Link Up project – which combines a user space, healthcare and homes – is planned this summer, in an answer to a parliamentary question from Brussels MP Els Rochette (Vooruit.brussels).
"It is good and disturbing news at the same time. The minister had already announced this consumption space in July 2023. The fact that it takes more than a year to actually start seems problematic to me. Especially because the drug problem is increasing so much," said Rochette.
Credit: Belga/Marthe Deleersnyder
Still, she is happy with Maron's intention to link a drug consumption space to a care pathway and emergency housing in this project – starting on 1 October and 1 November respectively.
“The drug issue in Brussels is primarily a social and health problem. It is positive that an integrated approach will be possible in the new user space," said Rochette. "The new initiative is not limited to safe use, but also focuses on more care and a roof over the head."
In recent years, Rochette has questioned Maron on this subject several times as Vooruit.brussels has been asking for more drug consumption spaces for some time.
Barcelona as an example
Now, Maron realised that an approach such as in Barcelona is necessary: the city of 1.6 million inhabitants has eight user areas. In Brussels, additional spaces are now being considered in the Noth Quarter, Porte de Hal and Mérode station.
"In Brussels, there is an alarming increase in public drug use. This is particularly visible to anyone walking through the city or taking public transport," Rochette said. "Homeless people, people without papers, people on the run... they seek refuge in drugs."
She stressed that this is not only worrying and disturbing for bystanders, but mainly harmful for the users themselves. "That is why I am a big supporter of consumption spaces. It limits the health risks for users, offers them a gateway to assistance and ensures less nuisance in public spaces."
