Local authority initiates approach
for the solution of problems with
addicted homeless citizens in Utrecht
Presentation Ostrava
September 2010
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THEN
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NOW
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Situation in Utrecht end nineties
Big shopping mall in the centre of
the city:
• Refuge for about 1000 homeless people
(500 addicted to hard drugs)
• Harassment and criminality
• Terrible living conditions for homeless
group
• Negative visiting card for Utrecht
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Something had to be done!
Mayor and Aldermen (local authority) took
the initiative:
• to get together all parties concerned
• Salvation Army as first caregiver
• to spend time, energy and money
• to develop a plan together
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Plan
• To build four shelters in the centre
• And seven hostels (homes) in the
quarters of the city
Aim:
• Improve lives of addicted and homeless
citizens
• Decrease harassment and criminality
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Approach
• Order for Municipal Health Service
• Much attention for communication to all
concerned
• Institution of governinggroups
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Results
First:
• Four shelters and nine hostels were
built
• Status to become hostelinhabitant
• New insights in longterm drugaddiction
Later:
• Recovery and vast improvement in
situation addicted homeless group
• Minimalisation in harassment and
criminality
• Pride of all concerned
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Current state of affairs
• Closure of almost all shelters for
drugusers
• Recovery of half of the group; expected
closure of number of hostels in future
But:
• There are still other problems to be
tackled: alcohol, new drugs, new groups
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