FROM CRIMINALIZATION TO REHABILITATION: Abandoning “The War on Drugs” THESIS EDIT | Page 5

users away from public health services and into hidden environments where HIV risk becomes
markedly elevated.” This was clearly depicted in scenes from Brand’s documentary where Brand
visits alleys covered in broken glass, used syringes, and other drug paraphernalia where addicts
have gone to seek shelter.
The drug consumption room that was established in Switzerland over 30 years ago was a
direct reaction to this situation. It is a place where addicts can go to use drugs in a safe and
protected environment. There, addicts can both purchase the drugs they desire and use the
facilities for clean tools and safe spaces while they get high. Although it is clearly not a long-
term solution to the problem of addiction, it has had the positive influence of decreasing the
spread of diseases related to drug use. For example, their needle-exchange program has resulted
in a significant drop in the number of people with hepatitis. According to Bubi Rufener, the
director of the drug consumption room, “10 years ago, we had 98% of the people here with
hepatitis. Now it’s about 60%.”
At this point, it should be considered common knowledge that unsterilized needles
transmit HIV/AIDS among intravenous drug users. Yet, according to the America Civil Liberties
Union, “drug users share needles because laws prohibiting possession of drug paraphernalia have
made needles a scarce commodity.” Consequently, the war on drugs is “actually [promoting]
epidemic disease and death.”
Driving this point further is research showing that “in New York City, more than 60
percent of intravenous drug users are HIV positive. By contrast, the figure is less than one
percent in Liverpool, England, where clean needles are easily available,” to intravenous drug
users (America Civil Liberties Union). These numbers clearly speak for themselves.
Yet another failure of the war on drugs is the effect it has had on the black-market and