Lorena works in a discreet room located in Bogotá to which every day several people come to consume injectable substances under his supervision and that of other colleagues in a conditioned environment and with clean material, in the only supervised consumption room in South America.
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In addition to being a user, her job is to be a ‘peer’ to those who pass by this location, providing them with clean syringes and other materials necessary for them to carry out this practice in a controlled and safe environment, Make sure they don’t overdose and give them hot food and drinks.
Upon entering the room, users write on a template their name, the substance they brought to inject, the last substance they consumed, and the number of used syringes they bring to return, after which they sit in front of the wall, on which there is a mirror, a small table with a metal tray and the container to dispose of the used material.
This initiative is called the Cambie project and is part of Social Technical Action (ATS), a non-profit corporation that works with local organizations and governments to implement public policies, social programs and strategies concerning drugs and how they impact society.
ATS has various projects, such as a substance analysis service so that users are aware of what they are consuming, an awareness program about the risks of alcohol intake or an initiative to disseminate information about psychoactive substances.
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The room, which has been in operation since 2023, currently receives 78 people to whom, in addition to providing a safe and clean space, food and information, they are offered everything they may need, such as clothing, personal hygiene, nursing care or even sleeping on site, since 25% of them are homeless.
The Cambie project is part of Social Technical Action (ATS).
Lives saved
The general coordinator of the program, Daniel Rojas, explains to EFE that in the 15 or 16 months that the project has been running they have treated 14 overdoses, all due to heroin, 10 inside the room and four outside it: “That is for us the main result, being able to save lives.s”.
In this period the room has been used 2,300 times for injections. “They are 2,300 times reducing the probability of having an overdose“Adds Rojas.
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The main goal of the initiative is to prevent the spread of diseases and for this they supply sterile material and discard used syringes, in addition to supervising users to avoid overdoses and avoid consumption in public spaces.
In this sense, consumption in authorized places also reduces the number of syringes that are exposed in public and the risks that these imply, such as accidental infections.
“We have delivered more than 40,000 (syringes) and we must have more or less 14,000 or 15,000 syringes collected.“says the project coordinator, who adds that They have delivered 142 doses of naloxone, the anti-overdose medication.
A nurse also works in the Cambie space, Beatriz García, who, in addition to directing the action protocols when an overdose occurs, cleaning and disinfecting wounds and ensuring that everyone is safe in the room, cooks for all users.
“I cook every Friday, so more people come. They order it themselves, they like my food“he explains to EFE, after getting out of a taxi with a big pot of rice and beans.
Panoramic image of Bogotá.
‘normal’ job
Lorena, local worker, does not allow a young user to fall asleep by patting him on the shoulder and repeating his name to make sure he is not at risk, after which he gives him a soft drink and a plate of food.
The ‘couple’ leads a functional life, they work every day and have their own apartment, but every day, before starting work, they inject themselves with heroin, which does not prevent him from getting up practically immediately to disinfect his position and continue with his work.
Her mother is aware of both her daughter’s work and that she uses heroin, and although “has gone through several stages” of feelings, currently “it seems fine to him“, according to the ‘couple’ EFE, because he understands that this form of consumption is a safe alternative that also allows him to professionally help other dependents.
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Lorena explains that for those in charge of supervising, Cambie also provides psychological assistance, because “many tell their personal stories and it is very hard to hear.”
EFE
