Drug User Organizations in the Nordic Countries—Local, National, and International Dimensions

Abstract

The article focuses on drug user organizations that represent and advocate for active "hard drug" users in the Nordic countries. It discusses the opportunities and challenges that these organizations face in their search for legitimacy and political influence. The comparative perspective points at similarities and differences in national contexts that both support and challenges the existence of drug user organizations, including drug policy, social welfare policy, trends in drug use, and organizational conditions. The article also discusses the importance of international network and transnational organizations that support drug user organizations.

Shadow Committees: On “Drug User Voice,” Representation, and Mobilization in a Norwegian Drug Policy Reform

“…Rather than discuss who stayed and who left, and what dynamics influenced the outcome (for discussion on the vulnerability of drug user organizations see for instance Frank et al, 2012, p. 469), I use elements of this case to examine the emerging problem of representation in drug activism mobilization in Scandinavia as new associations and organizations are continuously being established. For instance, while revising this article, yet another organization was established, an umbrella organization called Preventio, which unites progressive organizations working on drug policy and which support the Drug Policy Reform.…”

“…At the same time, it can be argued that precisely what the representative stood for was significant. As the highly profiled drug activist, Arild Knutsen, commented during a public meeting: “It would not make sense to have me in the working group because I am for legalization, so my political stand is not in accordance with mandate.” However, in this article, I focus on the protesters’ logics as formulated in their arguments, not on the minister’s choices or the logics of political authorization of the representatives (for discussion on the factors, which contribute to gain political legitimacy see for example Frank et al, 2012).…”

“…Uniting through “user organizations,” they demand recognition of their knowledge and inclusion in relevant clinical and political decision making processes (e.g. Anker et al, 2006; Bjerge et al, 2016; Frank et al, 2012; Jürgens, 2005; Madden et al, 2021; van Dam, 2008; Willesrud & Olsen, 2006; Zigon, 2018). In response to these demands as well as general calls for democratizing expertise and policy making, national and global authorities are increasingly including “lay experts,” “service users” and “those to whom it applies” in the development of policies, strategies, plans and regulations.…”

Recasting Participation in Drug Policy

“…The almost breathless celebration of the transformative potential of participation, followed quickly by arguments for more participation , alternated with a more critical impulse to demarcate the proper limits of public involvement in governing science-related issues and efforts to distinguish lay knowledge from expert judgement.So too for us in drug policy research. “Participation” in the drugs field is often limited to discussion of “consumer” engagement in accordance with the principles of “consumer participation in health” (e.g., at the service level in the Australian drug treatment sector, see Australian Injecting & Illicit Drug Users League, 2008; Bryant, Saxton, Madden, Bath, & Robinson, 2008; Treloar, Fraser, & valentine, 2007; Treloar, Rance, Madden, & Liebelt, 2011), or how to include communities in developing interventions (e.g., Windsor, 2013), or articulating the role of formally constituted drug user organizations 1 (Australian Injecting & Illicit Drug Users League, 2012; Frank, Anker, & Tammi, 2012; Fry, Madden, Brogan, & Loff, 2006; Zibbell, 2012). While drug user organization representatives are usually invited to sit on committees or participate in policy events (such as roundtables), tokenism is rife.…”

“… 1. Drug user organizations are advocacy groups and nongovernment organizations, which advocate for the health and human rights of people who use drugs. Due to their emergence during the AIDS crisis in the 1980s, these groups have historically primarily represented people who inject drugs (especially those who use opioids) and do not generally include cannabis organizations or groups representing ex-users or people in recovery (Frank et al, 2012). …”