Addiction support groups slam cash incentive
A PROPOSED government scheme which will see money given to drug users in rehabilitation has been roundly condemned by drug addiction support groups across the island.
The scheme, which has been proposed by the Welfare Services at the Labour Ministry, will give 50 drug addicts already in rehabilitation £1,000 each in an effort to get them to kick their habits.
The Clinical Director of Ayia Skepi, one of the island’s biggest rehabilitation centres, yesterday told the Cyprus Mail that the idea is “outrageous”. Tina Pavlou said the scheme is being implemented without asking anybody involved in the field of addiction.
“In every way you look at it, it doesn’t make sense. The number one rule is that you do not give money to drug addicts.
“As far as I understand it, £50,000 has been approved, with the figure set to rise in 2006. That money would be much better spent on educating, housing and employing people.
“What also disappoints me is that it’s so hard to find money for rehabilitation programmes but so easy to find money for this scheme. Our centre receives annual funding to the tune of £30,000 from the Health Ministry, which has been reduced to £20,000 this year due to cutbacks. Therefore, if it’s a difficult financial year for the government, where is the money for this scheme coming from?”
She explained that users who attend rehabilitation programs are entitled to apply for government help but wasn’t sure of the exact details or if people had already received money.
Ayia Skepi is a long-term in-patient therapeutic community, with all drug users welcome to join their rehabilitation programmes free of charge. The centre mainly deals with heroin addicts and was founded in 1999.
The manager of the Cyprus Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction was equally scathing.
Neoclis Georgiades, whose centre is the only official body on the island for information on drugs and who works in cooperation with the European Drug Monitoring Centre in Lisbon, said that this is an unusual practice which is not seen throughout the rest of Europe.
“It would be far better to provide money for housing, employment and educational purposes. As far as we are concerned, this should not be happening and we are not happy that we were not consulted beforehand, even though we are a governmental service.”
In defence of the plan, Chloe Koromia, Acting Director of the Social Welfare Services, said naysayers have been basing their opinions on information which has been misunderstood.
“Of course, we will not be giving money to drug users and agree that money should not be given to people who have no intention of kicking the habit.
“Our scheme will benefit addicts who are already in rehabilitation programs and we will issue the money with great care and ensure that it is used in the correct way. It is very important that the money is used in a positive way for people’s rehabilitation.”
She added that no cheques have yet been issued and “before approval is given, criteria and regulations will be put in place to ensure that the scheme runs smoothly.
