"The other side of Paris" a Paris Travel Page by Sage49

Since there are tons of people who provide lots of info about Paris, I've decided to talk about my unusual experience in Paris.

I stayed in a dinky little hostel near Montmartre. This hostel was just too shabby and unsanitary, but what do you do? I am a poor/cheap student, right? I was jammed into a tiny room with 14 bunk beds. Imagine that!

The name of this hostel was something like friendly hostel or friend's home or something to that effect. Nothing friendly about this place though. There were so many dealers/users on the streets around Montmartre, I felt unsafe walking alone at night.

However, my days in Paris got much brighter after I met French activists working around the Montmartre neighborhood. This area actually turned out to be a major drug dealing/shooting spot. Of course there were also lots of prostitutes too. I met these fabulous people who help substance users in Paris. They have shelters near Marx Dormoy and GAIA (needle exchange program). Apparently NEP is officially supported by the government. CAARUD ( centre d'accueuil et d'accompagnement à la Réduction des Risques pour usagers de drogues) is in charge of the program. I went out with their needle exchange van and visited their shelters. It was an amazing experience. I think France has really progressive harm reduction programs which are proven effective.

I guess it is true in every large city, just like Chicago where I live. Paris has a completely difference face to it. The dark side of the fame and splendor where those who are forgotten by the rest of the world live. I don't think we tourists necessarily need to pay attention to these problem areas and in fact we don't even have enough time to see all the beautiful parts of Paris. It makes me pause and think nevertheless. I wish I could share some pictures of what I saw with you. Unfortunately, it was extremely dangerous and unethical (I would think) to take pictures of prostitutes and drug users.