Danish Drug Users Union

BrugerForeningen

About us

The Danish Drug Users Union or BrugerForeningen (BF), so its Danish name, was established in 1993 by a group of drug users and a few supporters, who decided to create a real drug user union. The general idea was, to create a place where the main intention was help to self-help and to work for the needs and rights of drug users and against personal isolation. Both illegal drug users and Methadone clients are welcome. BF is an interest organization for opiate and methadone users. The administration and the many different jobs in BF are directed and carried out by active voluntarily working methadone users.

The headquarter is in central Copenhagen. Here the drop in centre cosy café is open daily from 10 AM to 15 PM. After this hour all activities continue, but now only for active members, who have got a fitness room, gaming room, healthcare room, internet and computer learning centre, bicycle service, hobby workshop, large specialized Narco related library, study room, 70 persons lecturing room with overhead and large video screen, as well as several high tech equipped administrative offices.

BrugerForeningen carries out the StreetPatrol outreach peer support project. Volunteer drug user activists from Danish Drug Users Union provide a peer based outreach service as part of a partnership initiative with "Enghaven" methadone Clinic, which is located near the central station in Copenhagen. The activists are all themselves receiving methadone maintenance. The outreach project's main purpose is, to link those drug users considering treatment to the methadone Clinic. Over a cup of coffee and/or a cigarette the activists help drug users explore whether drug treatment is a desirable option. In addition, the outreach patrols seek to reduce drug related harm by distributing free sterile needles, syringes, water and an information pamphlet containing advice on safer injecting and blood borne viruses explain by example how to inject safer, and how to avoid blood borne diseases.

BF is cooperating with LFHN, a parent and relative association, who's got its own office in the BF house, where it gives advice, offers bystander service and keeps regular meetings.

Joergen Kjaer is the president of the union.

For other net participants we can offer expert guidance through trained staff, procure expert information, give an expert opinion, deliver a lecture and establish new contacts in the field of our work.