AimsVerbesserung des Gesundheitsschutzes
Aims of the Drugchecking Initiative Berlin-Brandenburg
In Germany, strategies concerning the implementation of drugchecking programs and the outcomes of projects in neighboring countries are largely unknown. In addition, there is a degree of uncertainty with regard to narcotics law and the conditions required for a legally defensible implementation of drugchecking.
The Drugchecking Initiative Berlin-Brandenburg aims to carry out a transfer of knowledge, by informing key figures in public administration and policy, as well as in services providing aid to drug users, about opportunities for implementing drugchecking in drug work and offering practical starting points on how drugchecking can be implemented in Germany.
Drugchecking offers
Warnings about products, which have high risk potential due to findings indicating high levels of the active ingredient in substances, impurities or fraudulent claims about the active ingredient in the substance.
Better access to drug users and thus, also increases the reliability and scope of the available information and the work of services providing support to drug users.
Influence on the black market for drugs, as the dealt substances must be consistent with the expected quality and quantity. Risky products in particular become unmarketable.
Drugchecking is health protection
The possibility of testing the contents of illegally acquired substances allows (potential) consumers the chance to avoid poisoning, overdoses and experiencing unwanted effects.
Acquiring information about the contents, type and amount, in psychoactive substances fosters a reflective, respectful and cautious approach toward psychoactive substances.
Drugchecking services facilitate the process of drug users gaining access to information and advisory services, which can provide support for harm reduction purposes or to quit altogether.
They hereby offer access to a population who are ordinarily hard to reach. The information collected on consumption patterns and motives, as well as effects and risks of consumption, helps improve the overall work of services providing support to drug users.
