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Description
In 2020, there were approximately 45,000 people who use/inject drugs (opioids and methamphetamine) in the Czech Republic (mostly aged 25-35) without adequate access to social and health services. Programmes that aim at improving the competencies of drug users with the support of the local community (so-called horizontal participation) are not used in the Czech Republic sufficiently or systematically enough. Since access to certain services is somewhat complicated by a number of barriers on the part of both clients and service providers, the involvement of people with past drug use experience is deemed an effective way of mediating support and help.
Podané ruce o.p.s. has long been striving to provide continuous, systematic and effective support to engage in people with past addictive behaviour experience and to expand the support system with new components building on the experience of the project lead and partner. This will contribute to achieving the specific objectives of the project:
- Strengthening street work programmes by, a) building the capacity of a new group of people with past addiction experience for them to be able to support problem drug users in their recovery process; b) the gradual involving this group into existing outreach services and other activities (e.g. development of a training programme, code of ethics, participation in seminars - presentation of examples of good practice);
- methodological and other materials (2x methodology, 2x manual, 1x code of ethics) ;
- extension of the competences of existing staff in drug services through focused training;
- dissemination of project outputs to other organisations providing services to drug users in the Czech Republic.
Summary of project results
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The activities of the project contributed to the development of innovative working methods utilizing the potential of people with lived experience. In addition to
providing methodological support, this involved strengthening the capacities of existing support service providers and enhancing the ability of the target group to work
primarily with problem drug users.
Individuals with lived experience participating in the project – graduates of peer and recovery training – saw their competencies and qualifications improve. The most
capable participants found professional employment in support services, thus contributing to increasing staff capacity and making work with clients of these services
more efficient. Their responsibility and active role within communities and groups where they can influence the decline of risky and criminal behaviour, including
victimisation of substance users, was also strengthened (e.g. involvement of peer workers in the HCV prevention project – awareness raising, testing, accompaniment to
health facilities, motivation to treatment).
The implemented seminars and freely available methodological materials contributed to increasing awareness and knowledge, and were a source of inspiration not only
for the project implementer, but also for other organisations involved in the prevention and treatment of addictions in the Czech Republic, for other institutions andinterested parties.
Summary of bilateral results
The contribution of the Norwegian partner to the project was highly significant. At the seminar held on 13th September 2022, representatives of Prolarnett presented the principles of the work of this organisation providing examples of good practice. They delivered a detailed overview of specific activities, highlighting the involvementof the target group in crucial decision-making and in organisational management. This presentation served as a vital catalyst for the attendees with lived experience, inspiring them to actively start planning the establishment of their own "users'' union" within the Czech Republic.