A section of Amager in Copenhagen has been officially designated as an area exempt from prosecution for drug possession, following the opening of a new supervised drug consumption room. The decision, announced by Copenhagen Police, applies to individuals with a long-term and severe addiction to hard drugs.
The supervised facility is located at Sundholmsvej 22, and the surrounding streets—particularly parts of Sundholmsvej and Amager Fælledvej—are now considered a sanction-free zone under section 3b of the Danish law on euphoric substances.
Drug sanction exemptions for severe addiction cases
Not everyone entering the area will automatically benefit from immunity. According to the police statement, the exemption only applies to “certain individuals with a strong dependence on hard euphoric substances”.
To be eligible, a person must:
- Be over 18 years of age;
- Possess drugs for personal use;
- Intend to use them in the designated facility;
- Have a documented, ongoing addiction resulting from long-term abuse.
These criteria are designed to ensure that the exemption serves public health and does not promote broader decriminalisation.
Harm reduction strategy to protect vulnerable drug users
The Sundholm area has long been a focal point for social services, frequently used by people with complex addiction issues. By concentrating police efforts on harm reduction rather than prosecution, authorities aim to protect vulnerable users and encourage safer drug use practices.
According to Copenhagen Police, the shift does not mean a reduction in law enforcement but rather a strategic refocus. “This approach reflects our continued prioritisation of vulnerable citizens with severe addiction problems,” the police statement reads.
Danish drug policy and legal basis for sanction-free zones
The designation is made possible by amendments to Danish drug law, which since 2012 has allowed the establishment of drug consumption rooms in cities like Copenhagen, Aarhus, and Odense. These spaces provide medical supervision and clean equipment, aiming to reduce overdose deaths, infectious diseases, and street-level drug use.
By extending legal protection to the area surrounding such facilities, Denmark follows a model seen in parts of Germany and the Netherlands, reinforcing a broader harm reduction policy rather than a punitive one.
