Outreach program Street, Olomouc

The outreach programme is a service of active search for drug users in their natural environment in Olomouc Region (Olomouc, Litovel, Šternberk).

Contact

Outreach program Street

Sokolská 48
779 00 Olomouc
Phone: +420 585 220 034

street.ol@podaneruce.cz

Manager

Mgr. Kateřina Andrlová
GSM: +420 777 916 267

The outreach programmes of Olomouc are a service of active search for and contact with hidden population of non-alcoholic drug users in three towns (Olomouc, Šternberk and Litovel) and their close surroundings. The primary target group of the outreach programmes are problematic drug users. We apply the principle of low-threshold approach and, therefore, we strive for reduction of harm and risk in relation to non-alcoholic drug users in their natural environment, by creating an atmosphere of trust and safety. Clients are provided with all our services free of charge and anonymously. The outreach programmes of Olomouc are provided within the regional department of SPR Walhalla.

NIGHT EXCHANGE THROUGH THE WINDOW (OF DROP-IN CENTRE):
Tuesday - Sunday: 24:00 - 03:00

Services

- Clean syringe exchange and distribution
- Hand-out of other medical materials (water, pads, filters, vitamins, condoms...)
- Information service (health, social-legal...)
- Basic medical treatment, first aid
- Arrangement of tests on infectious diseases
- Referral to other services in the network
- Counselling and crisis intervention (also for parents and close persons of the users)
- Contact and counselling by streetworker's mobile phone
- Information service for dance drug users
- Support to client employment

Service Team

Manager of SPR Department Walhalla: Mgr. Lukáš Carlos Hrubý
Manager of Outreach Programmes and Streetworker: Mgr. Miroslav Charvát
Streetworkers: Jakub Lívanský, DiS., Kateřina Andrlová, Zdeněk Štěpán
Volunteers: Eva Maierová, Martin Bayer and other university or secondary-school students
Supervisor: PhDr. Jiří Broža

Goals of Outreach Programmes

The basic goal is to reduce negative impacts of problematic non-alcoholic drug use. We believe that the goals which we define in relation to individuals will positively influence the entire target group at the same time, improving the situation of the society. As regards individual users, we try to influence them on three levels.

The first is the health condition of the clients. We especially inform them on the risks related to drug use, on the principles of so-called "safe" use, safe sex, and we guide them to less hazardous methods of application. Thus we try to prevent spreading of terminal infectious diseases (hepatitis C, HIV...), which could prevent clients from returning to a healthy life in the future, if they decide to change their lifestyle.

The second level is the social situation of the clients. In individual work with the clients, we try to find out to what extent they are involved in the existing social network and life in the society. Especially, we motivate clients to be interested in addressing their problems (authorities, documents, debts, homelessness, issues related to criminal law, etc.).

The third area is their mental condition and experiences of the drug users. The streetworkers offer the clients a space for solving their problems and difficult life situation within person-to-person counselling. We motivate those clients who show their interest in undergoing treatment. If there is a suspicion of a serious psychic disorder, we attempt to refer given person to co-operating psychiatrists.

The programme is funded by

Council of the Government for Drug Policy Coordination
Ministry of Health of CR
Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the CR
Regional Authority of Olomouc Region
Municipalities of Olomouc, Šternberk and Litovel
Donors and sponsors

Documents for download