Filenews 27 June 2025 - by Marilena Panagi
More than 250 young people up to the age of 24 and their family members participated last year in treatment programs for drug rehabilitation after choosing treatment instead of joining the penal system, while dozens of convicts participate in the therapeutic programs that operate within the Central Prisons.
According to data put before the parliamentary Health Committee, the "Danae" program in the Central Prisons hosted 92 prisoners in February 2025, 69 in March, 33 in April and 64 in May. At the same time, the "Boat" program also operates, which includes both a therapeutic approach and skills development activities.
On the management front of young people up to 24 years of age who choose to participate in a therapeutic program instead of the judicial process, as reported to the Health Committee, in 2023 256 people were referred to the Agia Skepi therapeutic community, of which 202 were active users and 54 parents. In 2024, the number reached 257, while by May 2025, 101 people had already joined the programs.
During the meeting of the Committee, strong concerns were expressed about the inadequate support of all-day treatment centers, but also about the need to strengthen the infrastructure within the Prisons. As it was emphasized, social reintegration is of key importance, so that former users can smoothly return to society and do not constantly return to the vicious circle of delinquency and dependence.
On the part of the Police and the Ministry of Justice, it was reported that there is a special department in the Anti-Drug Service which refers young detainees to therapeutic programs before the trial of their case, with the aim of preventing and preventing criminalization.
Also, after the conviction, users are given the opportunity to apply for participation in therapeutic programs, while in Prisons, two rehabilitation programs operate and the operation of a third party is promoted.
Particular reference was made by MPs to the bureaucracy and the delays observed in the renewal of driver's licenses of people who are released from prison. As MPs said, many users, who have completed their treatment, wait for months until they are evaluated by a medical board.
In more serious cases, as reported by members of the Health Committee, people with methamphetamine dependence develop psychosis and are admitted to Athalassa Hospital, only to receive temporary support after then returning home, relapse, resuming use and "the vicious circle continues".
The Ministry of Health, as mentioned, is promoting the creation of a special wing at Athalassa Hospital, where patients will stay for a longer period of time and will immediately be included in recovery programs.
