Griechenland. Closure of harm reduction units in Greece: Austerity politics trumping community empowerment?

The recent decision by OKANA, the Greek government’s agency for drug services, to close seven harm reduction units, including one in Goudi (Athens), has raised serious concerns among service users, healthcare professionals and advocates. In the following lines, we delve into the implications of these closures; highlight the importance of preserving and expanding, not shrinking, harm reduction provision; and urge national and international authorities to prioritise the needs of people who use these services.

The Goudi harm reduction clinic is highly regarded by service users. Contrary to many other harm reduction units in Greece, it operates as a standalone building located in a park, which provides a certain degree of privacy and a green environment. Moreover, clients allude to the importance of the clinic’s superior treatment compared to the temporary and often makeshift harm reduction units that operate in the corners of hospitals, where medical attention is reported as widely unavailable or at best occasional. Crucially, the Goudi unit provides access to methadone. As such, the clinic is held as a sanctuary for those seeking support in relation to their opioid use. (IDPC – International Drug Policy Consortium, UK, 07.09.2023)

https://idpc.net/blog/2023/9/closure-of-harm-reduction-units-in-greece-austerity-politics-trumping-community-empowerment