A New K-centre in Boleslav

[04. 08. 2006] After the anti-drug centres in Nymburk, Kolín and Benešov, a new drop-in centre appeared in Mladá Boleslav. On Tuesday, August 1, it was open by the representatives of the town and the Semiramis civil association.

After the anti-drug centres in Nymburk, Kolín and Benešov, a new drop-in centre appeared in Mladá Boleslav. On Tuesday, August 1, it was open by the representatives of the town and the Semiramis civil association.


"There are one thousand to fifteen hundred drug users in the town, and the number of drug addicts is estimated at five hundred," stated the manager of streetwork programmes Lukáš Gilányi. People addicted to drugs were helped by the Helianna Association in Boleslav; however, it terminated its activities at the beginning of the year. "After Helianna closed, drug users had nowhere to ask for help. The K-centre was missing in Boleslav. According to our survey, five hundred clients will seek help of the new K-centre," said the Semiramis Association´s Chairman Pavel Plaček.

The centre is needed in Mladá Boleslav also according to the opinion of the town representatives. "It is necessary to prevent diseases from spreading among people. Drug users will be able to exchange syringes and get expert advice," stated Deputy Mayor Eva Pešková. The K-centre, situated in Ptácká Street at a railway crossing, will be open on Wednesdays and Fridays this year. Next year, it will open daily.

People usually keep coming for meetings in the centre for a month or two. "We talk about their motivation, prepare the anamnesis or documents. Together, we choose a type of treatment in one of the therapeutic centres or communities," explained Plaček. The annual operation of the centre amounting to CZK 1.7 million will be paid by the Association, with the help of state subsidies, grants, contributions of big companies and towns. "The centre will not serve only the people of Boleslav, but also users from the surrounding municipalities," remarked Pavel Plaček, adding that the services are anonymous.

Source: Mladá fronta DNES