In Denmark, the “street lawyers” defend the rights of the poorest – rts.ch

Based in Copenhagen. For example, the Gadejurienn (“Street lawyers”, in French) bring lawyers, lawyers, but also law students coming to lend a hand volunteer. For example, They provide free legal aid to people living on the sidelines of society. Meanwhile, neglected according to them by the Danish social system.

“Many of these people do not know their rights. Similarly, but we yes,” said a whole world on Monday Rikke Troelsen, lawyer in the NGO. In addition, “When they come to us, we can help them take steps.”

This aid is intended for vulnerable people. Consequently, such as homeless people, drug users and prostitutes sometimes encountering difficulties with the denmark, “street lawyers” defend rights police or justice. Consequently, People dependent on methadone. for example, are generally considered among socially vulnerable people, which can open up the right to free or subsidized care for dental care, but few of them know it.

Establish confidence – Denmark, "street lawyers" defend rights

The members of the NGO therefore go to the H17. In addition, the largest drug consumption room at lower risk in the world. Consequently, “I think there are 800 to 1000 drugs per day here,” said Rikke Troelsen. However, “Many of these people have been abandoned by the system, so we have to establish a kind of confidence.” It is in this perspective that street lawyers fill their cargos bikes with drinks. food, but also pads and hygienic towels.

“And the most important thing is perhaps not very well, but they are the cigarettes. They help us to engage the conversation and help people feel confident,” said Nikoline, communications officer. “We also have our business cards on a lighter, but our bestseller is hot chocolate. The most important part is the whipped cream, which we sprinkle with cocoa. These little details bring so much joy.”

“It is done with love, it goes straight to the heart,” confirms S., a regular from the H17, which specifies that the lawyers of the streets “helped it once to contact the town”. “I always come to say hello to the street lawyers when they are there. They really helped me a lot with serious problems. like the time I was going denmark, “street lawyers” defend rights to lose my apartment,” adds Mia, at the exit from the H17, where she consumes cocaine on a daily basis, but framed. “It is much safer and better to consume here than outside,” she says.

Supervised consumption

Located in an old slaughterhouse, the H17 allows dependent people to consume drugs under the supervision of health professionals. “The nurses and psychiatrists are very well trained and trained to react quickly,” said S. La Danoise. who has lived in the street for three years, regularly takes Crystal Meth and the heroine in the consumer room.

“If someone makes an overdose, they run. It takes them two minutes to arrive with the antidote,” she says. “They save so many lives. And they also give us lessons to learn to use it. It’s fantastic.” Street lawyers are also equipped with an antidote that they can administer if they notice signs of overdose. “It is a simple spray denmark, “street lawyers” defend rights that is injected into the nose and which neutralizes opioids,” says Rikke Troelsen.

Oppositions

In Denmark, supervised consumption rooms have existed since 2012. Since then, no death has been identified and more than 150 overdoses have been taken care of in time. But some opponents, especially within the conservative political class, believe that these structures normalize consumption.

This argument is strongly refuted by Rikke Troelsen. “People clearly do not enter these centers for fun,” she says. “Those who want to take drugs when they go out to party on weekends do not come here.”

It is also estimated that abandoned syringes have dropped from 10′. Additionally, 000 to less than 1,000 per week in Vesterbro, where the H17 is located. The district has changed a lot in 20 years. Drug trafficking. prostitution have given way to many shops and cafes, transforming the old hot district of Copenhagen into a trendy place.

A radio Siejit: Otiliia Frey

Web adaptation: Emilie Délétroz