The permanent site: the heart of Cactus Distribution and exchange of sterile materials… and much more!

The permanent site serves as a hub for the distribution and recuperation of injection and prevention material… and much more. Those who visit also receive information regarding HIV-AIDS, various forms of hepatitis and other infections transmitted sexually or through the blood (ITSB). Upon request, they can also receive references and psychological support related to their specific needs.

For many of them, Cactus is also an oasis…

Cactus at night...

A warm and lively space where people from all horizons come to get injection materials, condoms, a “crack” pipe, someone who will listen to you or advice on how to use drugs in a safer way. Others simply come to “take a break”, to draw or play a musical instrument… and sometimes all of this at once.

It’s 8 pm and Cactus opens its doors. Recuperation boxes in hand, drug users discard their old syringes and receive new ones. Many sex workers come to get condoms, and are encouraged to get information regarding the various services but also to increase their own security.

Requests are as numerous as they are diverse. From the person who was just sexually assaulted to the one who needs a place to stay, the permanent team listens, finds a warm place in a proper shelter for the night. Intervention personnel from various backgrounds provide unmatched open-mindedness and complementarity.

Information, prevention, personalised listening, accompaniment as well as long term relationships based on trust and even confidences, all of this held together by a simple and respectful philosophy: reducing harmful effects summarises the daily task of Cactus workers.