ABSTRACT
For many years drug users in Bern were not allowed to use public facilities such as restaurants and cafes and, therefore, had nowhere to rest and meet friends. This led to an open ‘street drug scene’ developing, which drew many complaints from local people. Consequently, in 1983, a group of employees of the Contact Foundation in Bern decided to establish a project for drug users, where they could rest, get a hot meal and a drink. Apart from simply providing a meeting place, the workers’ aim was to also establish a cultural centre to provide alternative activities and stimulate other interests in drug users. It was planned to have video-projects, guided theatre visits, promote self-help initiatives, and so on.
