From Drug Trips to Rehabilitation Chain
Funded by Euregio Karelia Neighbourhood Programme 2001-2006

Objective of the project

This project was a part-project in a joint prevention project against drugs in the Interreg region. The purpose of this project was to support the creation of cooperation networks and operational models for authorities and others in the field in Kainuu, North Karelia and Upper Savo, to reduce and prevent the damages caused by drugs.

Main activities

• to develop various operational models for preventative drug word and education • to create both a vertical and horizontal entity of operators from administrative and field authorities and personnel, which would enable tackling problems as early as possible, avoiding overlapping and sharpening cooperation with a multi-occupational approach.

Achievements

The operational models in use were first examined in the beginning of the project in Kainuu, Upper Savo and elsewhere in Finland, after which it was decided which themes of these models should be developed in the project. The project developed various operational models for preventative drug word and education, one example being the memorable drug track, which was already generated for use during the project in Kajaani and Kostomuksha. Working through the operational models helped the networking of the involved operators and the multi-occupational and multi-sectoral cooperation. The models will be a practical help for the operators in their work; the benefitting end-users are the customers of the services. The operational models were adopted in the work of the parties involved in their design but will require adjustments to be adopted into practical use after the project. The professional development of the operators and cooperation networks was well supported by training, work meetings and seminars, specialist exchanges and visits, and camping activities (including a camp in Kalevala preparing supporters for young people). The creation and operations of cooperation networks were supported by bringing together specialists from various organisations in, for example, seminars and model construction work and by facilitating meetings between Finnish and Russian specialists. The project produced teaching packages and client material and participated in informative work about drugs. The project also included several dissertations, which introduced a lot of new information. The dissertations have been forwarded to the relevant organisations and can be found in the databases of the participating educational institutes. Additional information about the project consortium can be found at: www.huumereitiltahoitoketjuun.fi