KETHEA PLEFSI Programme for Youth Drug Prevention

1. PRESENTATION OF KETHEA PLEFSI PROGRAMME Dimitra Androulaki Psychologist, Psychotherapist Head of KETHEA PLEFSI PROGRAMME

2. First established in 1996 within KETHEA STROFI, as Secondary Prevention Center • Started as a pilot programme within the framework of “Youthstart Programme” of the E.U. and after 1999 it is fully finashed by KETHEA’s budget.

3. It is addressed to adolescents and young adults (up to 21) who use drugs on an experimental, occasional or more systematic basis, and to those who use internet in a problematic way • It offers systematic services to the whole family parents and siblings) • It is an out-patient, non-intensive programme • Based on the principles and practices of the systemic family therapy and therapeutic community model, as this has been adapted for the Greek adolescent population and their families.

4. All services take place during the afternoon • All services are free of charge • Services are based on voluntary attendance

5. Why do we need a service like this? • Data of 2003 show that 1out of 10 (10%) Greek students (14-17 years old) has used an illegal substance at least once and at the age of 17 the percentage is 19,8%* • Data from years 1984 to 2003 show that: although after the expand of drug use from 1984 to 1998, there was a decrease of drug use, there is an increase to the number of the students who use cannabis for 3 or more times ** * ΕΠΙΨΥ, «Πανελλήνια έρευνα στο μαθητικό πληθυσμό για τη χρήση οινοπνευματωδών και άλλων ουσιών», 2003. ** Ετήσια έκθεση του ΕΚΤΕΠΝ για την κατάσταση των ναρκωτικών και των οινοπνευματωδών στην Ελλάδα 2004.

6. It has been shown that cannabis use on an occasional or systematic basis is related to the use of other drugs, which follows*. • KETHEA’s experience with the population of adolescents and young adults drug users has shown the necessity for the creation of a service, which is targeting to youngsters who are not addicted (yet) and who also manage to maintain a satisfactory level of functionality in certain aspects of their life (school, family, job etc.) * Fergusson, D.M. and Horwood, L.J. (2000): “Does cannabis use encourage other forms of illicit drug use?” Addiction 95 (4): 505-520

7. Brief interventions For young people - and their families – who use drugs on an experimental – occasional basis For young people - and their families – who face problems with problematic use of internet Non-intensive (sessions 1/week), brief intervention (lasts about 6 months) Work is done on individual and family basis Individualized interventions More intensive interventions For young people - and their families – who use drugs on an occasional or more systematic basis Intervention lasts for 1,5-2 years with attendance 3-4 times/week at the most intensive phase Work is done mainly on group basis and less on a family and individual basis Differentiated intervention depending on the age of the adolescents and young adults (until 17 years of age and from 17-21) Creative, recreational, psycho-educational activities. KETHEA PLEFSI offers two kinds of interventions:

8. Structure of KETHEA PLEFSI

9. Human resources • 10 therapeutic staff (psychologists, social workers, drug addiction counsellors, therapeutic programme graduates) • 2 administrative staff • 1 research staff • 1 secretary • Part-time photographer • Volunteers (parents that have graduated, students, young professionals)

10. We have chosen PLEFSI as our name because… • is the greek word for sailing and navigation • expresses the navigation needed in order to reach a certain destination • And the sailing needed in order to get there