The drop-in center in Podgorica is a safe haven for drug users

Promotion and protection of the human rights of people who use drugs (OKD) is one of the goals of the Drop in center in Podgorica, which is managed by the non-governmental organization (NGO) "Juventas", explains the coordinator. Marija Radovic.

The drop in center is intended for people who use drugs and is a safe and friendly place with a supportive atmosphere. It is located in Podgorica, the services are free, available to family members and people close to OKD, from the capital but also from other municipalities.

"Drop in center is a place where people who use drugs can get a wide range of services in a respectful atmosphere, from sensitized staff. The goal is to provide all those services that reduce the health, social, and economic damage that can potentially occur as a result of drug use. Also, the services that are available, and primarily the materials that can be obtained at the Drop in center, contribute to the prevention of HIV and other blood and sexually transmitted infections. Through this type of work and strengthening the availability of services in the community, it contributes to the approach and adaptation of services to those for whom they are intended," says Radović.

In order to make the services more accessible to as many people as possible, they also have field activities. A team consisting of a social inclusion associate and a social worker provides counseling services and distributes available material every week in cities where it is estimated that there is a need for it.

Radović states that all these services directly affect the reduction of social exclusion of OCD and contribute to the realization of rights in the field of health, social and child protection, as well as in the field of employment...

Instructions and appointment are not necessary, just good will. The employees are trustworthy and ethical people, and they are guided by the principle of lifelong learning.

"Available services are: distribution of sterile injecting equipment, distribution of free condoms and lubricants, washing and drying of clothes, donation of clothes and shoes, showers, periodic testing in the community for HIV, hepatitis B and C, counseling with a social worker, associate/ com in social inclusion, a psychologist/physician, a legal advisor, a doctor," Radović enumerates.

All of this is available on weekdays from 16 to 20 p.m.

Professional staff in the first shift, from 8 a.m. to 16 p.m., provides pre-scheduled consultative and advisory services and, if necessary, refers clients to relevant system institutions and other organizations.

Radović claims that a support service like this has a positive effect on society, brings long-term results and reduces damage, but also social and health risks for the individual. It is based on understanding and respecting the individuality of clients and follows their rhythm.

"This kind of support service is important because it provides services that contribute to reducing the harmful consequences that can arise from drug use. More importantly, it is a place where services are provided to the community, which continues to suffer a high degree of discrimination in society, on the basis of respect, anonymity, in a supportive atmosphere and where professional staff are closely profiled to provide direct support to people who use drugs." , says Radović.

According to their data, about 550 unique clients use the Drop in center services annually, and the largest number are between the ages of 25 and 45.

Their activities are dictated by the needs of the users, so they plan, design and adapt them. From time to time, they also conduct some workshops, such as those with a psychologist or psychologist, as well as a workshop to strengthen parental competences.

"Also, in the past two years, a self-support group for young people who use drugs was formed, as well as a self-support group for people living with hepatitis C. Such activities are carried out based on an assessment of the clients' needs, and the assessment is carried out through direct contact, as and through the suggestions and comments we receive from clients from the service satisfaction questionnaire," explains Radović and adds that Juventas carries out this assessment every three months, in accordance with the ISO standard it has had since 2016.

More detailed information about the services and general work of the Drop in center and Juventas is available on the organization's website, profiles on social networks, and by calling the phone number +38267632245.

Drop-in and counseling

Juventas also provides two services licensed in the social and child protection system, Radović points out and explains how this is related to people who use drugs.

"It is a counseling service and a support service for life in the community - a shelter, which includes the service of free meals, showers, washing and drying of clothes, donation of clothes and shoes to clients. Both services should function in such a way that the decision on the use of the service is made by the competent center for social work, and Juventas, as a licensed provider, provides the service to the client in accordance with the decision. The aforementioned services still do not work in practice as stated, and we hope that this issue will soon be resolved at the systemic level, and that the conditions will be met to provide these services to people who are at risk of social exclusion".

He points out that this is important for this topic, because the counseling service programs and the drop-in center recognize, among others, people who use drugs as potential users of the service, and that Juventas thus provides additional conditions for improving the quality of their lives.

This text was created as part of the project "UPLIFT - Improving the position of people who use drugs through information, focus and teamwork with journalists and students". It was supported through the subgranting scheme of the program "Competent, transparent, efficient and responsible civil society that provides services to people who use drugs in Montenegro" implemented by the NGO Juventas and the Montenegrin harm reduction network Link, and financed by the European Union through the Delegation of the European Union in Montenegro. . The content of the text is the sole responsibility of the author and in no way can be considered to reflect the views of the NGO Juventas, the Montenegrin harm reduction network Link, as well as the Delegation of the European Union in Montenegro.