Finnish Parliament on Friday voted against a citizens' initiative that called on trialling monitored drug consumption rooms aimed at reducing overdoses and other harms.
MPs voted 91-66 to reject the initiative, with 42 lawmakers absent.
Those voting against the initiative followed a ministry of social affairs and health report, which recommended rejecting it. The ministry report said that while it is important to offer easily accessible services to people with substance abuse disorders, it was not enough of a reason to make significant changes to Finland's drug policy.
Meanwhile, members of the Green, Left Alliance and Social Democrat parties supported a drug consumption room trial.
The issue divided parties in the coalition government, with the Swedish People's Party (SPP) voting in favour of the initiative, while the other three governing parties — the National Coalition Party, Finns Party and Christian Democrats — voted to reject the initiative.
Drug consumption rooms, also referred to as supervised injection sites are facilities where addicts can use illegal drugs, but with hygienic equipment and under supervision of trained staff. The main aim of such facilities is to prevent overdoses and provide a safer environment to people with addiction problems.
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) is among the proponents of drug consumption rooms, and has said such facilities can help reduce overdose risks as well as the spread of infection caused by the re-use of syringes.