A Place of Encounter: Health and Social Care Workers' Perspectives on Public Gathering Spaces for People Using Drugs

Abstract

In the context of addressing substance use issues in urban areas, public gathering places for individuals who use drugs play a multifaceted role, serving as sites of belonging, support, and potential criminal activity. As these gathering places, often referred to as open drug scenes, are associated with drug dealing, violence, and harm, numerous attempts to close or control them by law enforcement have been made, resulting in increased violence, stigma, and risk of overdoses. This qualitative study explores the experiences of health and social workers regarding a public gathering place, referred to as “the Bench,” in a medium-sized Norwegian city. Through semi-structured interviews with thirteen participants representing various support agencies, four thematic areas emerged: 1) Belonging and a gateway to support and services, 2) Balancing user autonomy at the Bench and systems support, 3) The role of a centralized location, and 4) The preventive role of support workers at the Bench. While the Bench fosters a sense of community and provides access to vital services, concerns about illicit activities persist due to its visibility. Nevertheless, its central location facilitates outreach efforts and ensures easy access to support services. The study underscores the preventive role of healthcare and social workers in stabilizing the environment and mitigating conflicts. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of central locations for public gathering places, emphasizing the proximity to low-threshold services for overdose prevention. Despite some challenges, the Bench represents a crucial venue for establishing relationships and providing assistance to individuals who use drugs, contributing to harm reduction efforts in the community.