Residents in deprived urban areas can easily fall prey to drug abuse. Normal employment becomes impossible and addicts often turn to crime to fund their habit, making the neighbourhood unsafe. In Casal Ventoso, a degraded part of Lisbon, narcotic traffic and use has been a way of life for many families. The area has been described as a big, open drug supermarket.

Help centres in Lisbon offer local people a chance break free from the vicious circle of drug addiction and crime.

The URBAN programme is working to eliminate this problem. While some of the projects focus on physical urban renewal to provide new housing and facilities, this initiative has tackled drug problems successfully.

A joint venture between eight organisations, from both the public and private sectors, offers drug addicts help and support. They have established a Help Office, a set of Shelter Centres and a Reception Centre.

People can drop into the local Help Office for health care and advice. They can also receive psychological support, clothing and meals. It has already provided services for over 7,000 people and serves over 400 meals a day. The Shelter Centres provide a place to sleep for 180 homeless people. One of the centres runs a low level methadone programme to wean heroin users off the drug.

The partners in this initiative also worked specifically with group of 200 people living in tents near the Help Office. Where appropriate, they were given meals, low dose methadone, a better place to sleep and the option of joining " detox" programmes outside the neighbourhood. The results are impressive.

In just six months, of the 130 people who went into detox programmes, 95 found help through therapeutic support and nearly 60 returned to their families. The methadone programme is now available to all people sleeping in the shelter centres.

The plan has had such a positive impact because its structure is firmly rooted within the neighbourhood. It is readily available to those who need it. The combination of actions to prevent social exclusion with more traditional construction and renovation projects provides a firm foundation for long-term change and improvement.

Gabinete de Reconversão do Casal Ventoso
Phone: +351 1 3633114
grvc@mail.telepac.pt

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Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Quality of life

Social services