Abstract
Aims
In light of escalating problems among drug users and illegal drug dealing on the doorstep of Oslo central station—an area known colloquially as “Plata”—there was mounting concern among city and national authorities. In January 2003, A Plan of Action—Alternatives to the Drug Scene in the Centre of Oslo was put into operation.
In creating alternatives to the city centre drug scene the action plan aimed to:
• Dissuade drug users from congregating in the city centre.
• Controll the comprehensive drug trade in the same place.
• Prevent more people from joining the drug user group.
The plan suggested several measures. Taken together they sought to improve help for drug users, and discourage them from congregating in the city centre. The police would be playing a pro-active role here, helping drug users to get the help they needed from the social services. There was an emphasis on collaboration between services in Oslo and other municipalities, and between the city and the Oslo Police District.
SIRUS was asked to evaluate the plan.
• To what extent have the many measures been implemented?
• Did the Action Plan contribute to a better cooperation among relevant bodies?
• To what extent did the Action Plan contribute to dissolving the drug scene?
Methods and Data
Quantitative data, obtained mainly from Oslo city authorities, and qualitative data, collected through observation and interviewing are used
Results
There is no denying the strong commitment of Oslo city through its Alcohol and Drug Addiction Service to organize the measures set out by the action plan. These measures have worked well in most cases for the people they were meant to help. It would be going too far, however, to suggest that the plan succeeded in significantly lowering the number of drug users congregating at “Plata”. The action plan should therefore be considered more of an “extra”, a supplement rather than an alternative to the place that attracts drug users to the city centre.
In spring 2004, the situation at “Plata” went from bad to worse. The police therefore stopped turning a blind eye to drug use and drug dealing at “Plata”. Drug users disappeared from the “Plata” area, but quickly regrouped in Skippergata, a nearby street. The group here counted fewer members, however, and drugs are not injected in full view of the public.
Collaboration between the city and the police on the one hand and various voluntary organizations on the other proved a positive experience in the main.
Conclusion
The primary objective of disbanding the drug scene in the centre of the city was not accomplished. Oslo city has nevertheless put a great deal of effort into extending existing services and setting up new options for the group of drug users in question. It is a pertinent question as to whether the action plan was realistic in the first place. Given the aim to dissolve the drug scene in the city centre, the setting up of premises that acted as a café, needle exchange centre, outreach health amenity, and supervised drug injection facility in Tollbugate 3–not far from “Pata”–seems slightly paradoxical.