Share your opinion on Józsefváros’s Drug Strategy!

Prevention aims to stop the development of diseases, addictions, and harmful habits before they appear. It helps maintain physical and mental health, improves quality of life, and contributes to a longer, healthier life. Prevention includes promoting a healthy lifestyle, providing appropriate information, and developing coping skills. However, in Hungary, there is a lack of professionals and programs working with modern methods and knowledge, so prevention often fails to achieve the desired impact. Therefore, a shift in approach and support for more effective, accessible preventive activities is needed.

What does the strategy propose in the field of prevention?

Strengthening the preparedness and support of district professionals

• Providing further training, continuous professional support, and educational materials for teachers, social workers, health visitors, and youth professionals working with young people in the district.

Renewing prevention methodology and expanding programs

• Introducing modern, interactive, and science-based programs covering both legal and illegal substances, and encouraging community initiatives involving civil organizations, businesses, parents, and residents.

Harm reduction aims to mitigate health and social damages related to drug use and protect the lives and health of users. In Józsefváros, low-threshold services and street outreach work are currently lacking, so those most in need do not reach support options. As a result, drug litter appears, posing serious public health risks, although JGK Zrt. tries to manage the situation through regular needle collection. The strategy pays special attention to supporting groups who face particular difficulties accessing care due to their social status or minority background.

What does the strategy propose in the field of harm reduction?

Strengthening the preparedness and support of professionals in harm reduction

• Thematic training, supervision, and mentoring systems for social professionals working in the district, providing professional materials and an online platform, and basic information for non-social sector workers (e.g., police, public area supervisors, JGK Zrt.).

Developing harm reduction tools and services

• Launching low-threshold programs and street outreach work, cooperating with civil organizations, providing harm reduction tools, and creating an easy-to-understand guide about local options.

Community involvement and addressing specific needs

• Supporting programs tailored to the needs of minority and disadvantaged groups, providing temporary childcare, and organizing sensitization training for addiction professionals.

In Józsefváros, the connection between substance users and care institutions is often lacking, and access to addiction services faces obstacles. Integrated care needs to be developed, especially for people with dual diagnoses. The Spirál Recovery Center supports recovery through individual and later group programs, fieldwork development and strengthening, and special programs. Informing the public is also important so that everyone can access appropriate help.

What does the strategy propose in the field of treatment, care, and recovery?

Clarifying client pathways and strengthening connections between providers

• Ensuring the active operation of KEF, clarifying client pathways, creating a shared database of district services, and supporting special integrated programs for people with dual or multiple diagnoses.

Developing JEK’s (district’s Health Clinic) addiction care services

• Relocating the Addiction Department to an easily accessible, discreet location to reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking.

Developing the services of Spirál Recovery Center

• Increasing client traffic through fieldwork and low-threshold services, aligning existing and planned programs with local needs, and initiating regular professional consultations with local providers.

Strengthening clear communication and public information

• Creating comprehensive guides and short informational materials, organizing regular public events, and cooperating with primary care professionals to improve access and early detection.

In the area of illegal substances, preventing drug trafficking and reducing supply is primarily the responsibility of the police. However, coordinated cooperation with the municipality and local institutions is crucial. While law enforcement interventions are essential, they are not sufficient on their own, as demand is driven by social and existential problems. A key issue is that organizations dealing with public safety and order often lack adequate information about where and what kind of help consumers can receive. Residents have a legitimate need to share their experiences and make reports that receive credible responses and actions, but this requires sufficient human resources for both the police and the Public Area Supervision.

What does the strategy propose in the field of supply reduction?

Strengthening cooperation and information flow

• Maintaining the active operation of the Józsefváros Drug Coordination Forum (KEF), organizing regular meetings. Supporting and coordinating the work of public safety organizations (police, Public Area Supervision, District Guards). Continuing communication with the district police headquarters.

Supporting the preparedness of the Police and Public Area Supervision and improving client guidance

• Organizing training for police officers and public area supervisors on recognizing substance use, the characteristics of different substances, and available support options. Strengthening cooperation between law enforcement and social work is also important. To support this, creating a clear and easily understandable guide is recommended for both residents and substance users.

Public communication and trust-building

• Enhancing communication with residents to build trust, encourage reporting, and ensure that responses are transparent and effective.

In Józsefváros, a general problem is the lack of a comprehensive approach and information flow between professionals. There is no accurate data on the extent and characteristics of substance use, making it difficult to tailor interventions to real needs. Information about available support options is limited for residents and affected individuals, so many do not reach appropriate care, while institutions operate with low utilization. Drug-related issues are often separated from other social matters, and prejudices surrounding the topic, along with the lack of public dialogue, further complicate the situation.

What does the strategy propose to address general issues?

Strengthening the operation of the Józsefváros Drug Coordination Forum (KEF)

• KEF facilitates regular consultations among various organizations and professionals, enabling experience sharing and joint problem-solving.

Mapping substance use

• It is important for the district to gain an accurate picture of the extent and characteristics of substance use. Research and data collection will be initiated, also examining the effectiveness of existing services.

Accessible information and communication

• An online “Drug Policy Smart Map” will be created to present available support options in the district – including institutions and services related to prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and supply reduction, along with their contact details.

Organizing public events

• At least two events will be held annually where professionals and residents can discuss the district’s drug situation, ask questions, and learn about available options.

Connecting drug-related issues with other sectors

• Addressing drug problems is closely linked to education, healthcare, law enforcement, and social services. The strategy aims for these sectors to collaborate and work together on more effective solutions.

Professional cooperation and service development

• Strengthening connections between organizations operating in the district, improving service accessibility, and launching new, missing programs and care options.