Aalborg celebrated in May when Denmark's government announced a new dignity reform. The country's fourth largest city appeared set to get its first drug consumption facility, known locally as a fixerum.
Nearly six months later, the situation has changed completely.
Aalborg Municipality decided not to apply for funding despite the Interior and Health Ministry opening applications for such facilities. The municipality would need to cover half the costs itself.
Jonas Jacobsen, regional director for Church Army in Jutland and Funen, expressed disappointment. "It's really, really unfortunate," he said. "Those of us working with vulnerable and homeless people in Aalborg know there's a great need for a drug consumption room."
City Councilor for Jobs and Welfare Nuuradiin Hussein explained their position. In May, they hoped the national government would fully fund the facility. Instead, Aalborg must pay nearly three million kroner ($430,000) – half the total cost.
Hussein said the money cannot be found after next year's municipal budget was approved. He also criticized the application deadline of October 30 as too short for proper political process.
"We don't have three million kroner in Jobs and Welfare that we can just use," Hussein stated. "All our resources are allocated to other efforts."
The councilor contacted Interior and Health Minister Sophie Løhde requesting an extension. He hopes the ministry will grant more time for a proper application process.
Jacobsen agreed about the poor timing. "It's really bad timing from the ministry's side," he said. "Once again we see that public systems don't communicate, and it ends up affecting the weakest citizens."
Drug consumption rooms already operate in Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense and Vejle. These facilities provide supervised spaces for people to use pre-obtained drugs under medical supervision.
The Interior and Health Ministry declined to address criticism of the short application period. In a written response, officials noted that municipal co-funding requirements are not new.
Previous funding rounds from 2012 to 2017 also required municipalities to partially finance drug consumption rooms.
The situation highlights how well-intentioned national policies often stumble on local budget realities. Aalborg's abandoned plans leave a visible gap in Denmark's harm reduction network.