The world’s first drug consumption room was opened in Berne, Switzerland in 1986. Dr Robert Haemmig and Dr Jakob Huber were among the founders. Dr Haemmig spoke about their history and rationale and Dr Huber spoke about the development-oriented approach that bridges acceptance/harm reduction perspectives and abstinence based services.

Neil Hunt spoke about the past, present and future of Drug Consumption Rooms in the UK including the support shown to them by David Cameron. He also spoke at length about the legal landscape in the UK and how this may impact (or not) on the possibility of these services.

Dr. Robert Haemmig is a Swiss Psychiatrist and Director of Integrated and Drug Services, University Psychiatric Services, at the University of Bern, Switzerland, since 1994. Dr. Haemmig opened the first safer consumption site in Bern in 1986 and was a pioneer in the development and provision of heroin-assisted treatment in Europe. He has been a Member of the Safety Assurance Group for Heroin Prescription in Switzerland since 1996. He is a world authority on innovative harm reduction approaches to injection drug use, patient-centered care and the incorporation of evidence-based approaches into the treatment of addiction. Dr. Haemmig is the founding and past President of the Swiss Society of Addiction Medicine.

Jakob Huber managing director of Contact Netz (Contact Foundation). He played a key role in shaping the addiction aid organization Contact and Swiss harm reduction. In the 80s and 90s, which were characterized by distressed open drug scenes, CONTACT did pioneering work in Swiss drug policy and work. With bold, innovative harm reduction