Breaking the TabooFrench Experience:

One step forward, two steps backwards!

Hans-Fredrik GadeliusHôpital Nord MarseilleMédecins du Monde

CSAPA NordNouvelle Aube

The origins of a taboo

• Thomas SZASZ och hans syndabock• Pharmacratie• Civilization of performance… and profit!• Drug War:1970, Nixon and UN• Back to France: Loi 70• The Big Schizophrenia: Users and drug care vs

politics, population and medias

Drug’s In France

• Alcohol: 20 of PIB, 10 M Abuse and addiction, Taboo on drunk ladies…Traditional and Ritual

• Marijuana: 10 M Users, depenalisation ?• Opiates: 220.000, 110.000 BHD, 20.000 MTD;

Heroine : the big fear! From delinquency to disease…

• Cocaine: Better image, free base, crack• Magic shroom’s, designer drugs, misuse

Skadereduction I Frankrike• 73: Methadone / the dealers in white• 80-90 AIDS• 87: decriminalisation of syringes• 89 :PES• 92 :ASUD• 94 :Methadone centers• 95 :Methadone on prescription• 96 : BHD on prescription, by GP’s• 01:Methadone bus• 05:Harm reduction is a public health policie

But Big schizo strikes back

• Globally public security prevails on public health

• No real national debate on drugs• EX: Safe injection site debate…• Still fearing the medicalization of a normal

human activity• Harm reduction is still fragile

Conclusion

• Step by step or revolution?• Stucked in medicalisation: twisting pleasure

and desease.• Policies on morality, economics, case reports

or facts?• Global report on drugs, UN• Stop drug war!?!• « Nice people take drugs! », Vienna 2011