Addicts Among Toddlers
Switzerland's drug crisis spills out into streets
Like other European cities, Lausanne, Switzerland, is facing a drug crisis. Groups of people can be seen taking heroin and crack cocaine in public near cafes, schools and children’s playgrounds. The crisis has become so stark that authorities are questioning their policy of safe access to drugs.
“People used to hide…Now they’re shooting up here” says Jose, who works at a daycare in Place de la Riponne, a drugs hotspot. A safe injection room is planned to be opened near the daycare at the end of 2023. Michèle, the manager of the daycare, welcomes this intervention: “what takes place outdoors can be done under better conditions and out of sight of the population, not just children.” But not everyone is optimistic. "we ask that there be no more around elementary schools…It’s not an unreasonable request” says Marie, a local mother. Sarah, another mother, fears the effect of seeing widespread drug consumption on her children: "it’s not normal to have these conversations with our children at that age."
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