” Resolution of the General Assembly of the Union of Employees of the Prevention Centres 24/11/23
Colleagues,
As employees of the Prevention Centres, we express our strong concern about the emerging developments in the field of addiction, concerning the establishment of the umbrella organisation (EOPAE). We consider that it follows the philosophy of the “cost-benefit” theories and on the basis of a bureaucratic, centralised control, at the core of which dominates not the diversity of interventions in prevention and treatment, but the logic of maintenance as the most advantageous, since it addresses a greater number of people with fewer resources. A logic that permeates the other changes to mental health in this draft law. Let’s remember that the EOPA comes at a time when there have already been previous “hits” on the rehab sector, such as:
– The depopulation of Prevention with the closure of Prevention Centres (e.g. Piraeus), with constant understaffing and in addition without any coverage of the gaps created by the departure of staff over ten years. Without a Single Institutional Framework for the operation and abandonment of any effort for institutional empowerment of the Prevention Centres. – The overemphasis on harm reduction by the management of the OCANA,
as a panacea. Limiting the incentive for holistic healing and exit of persons from the vicious circle of Dependence, downgrading the and breaking the therapeutic continuum of prevention, treatment, social reintegration. – The alteration of the character of the KETHEA with the abolition of the the loss of the character of the Centre by abolishing its self-governance.
It is indicative of the climate, the dismissive attitude and the Ministry’s aims for degradation, the fact that the Bill comes from the “wise heads”, without taking into account the needs of people who have been working in the field for years (KETHEA, 18Ano, Okana, Prevention Centres). Also, in the field of prevention the draft law comes to add to the
recent moves and choices that showed intentions to obstruct the work of the CPs. In the draft law of the Ministry of Health, entitled “Completion of the psychiatric reform” and in particular Article 46 under “Repealed Provisions”, on the Prevention Centres, confirms the worst case scenario. In particular, Article 61 of Law 3459 (2006) is repealed, which was retained in Law 4139 of 2013. A law which also describes the current status of the Prevention Centres, as it provides for their permanent and regular funding by the State, through the two named sources (Ministry of Health and Interior). Provision is made for programme contracts, which are renewable, and for certain clauses that make it more difficult to close the prevention centres. Article 60(4) of Law 4139 is also repealed, according to which the Prevention Centres belong to the approved prevention bodies. The Prevention Centres until 2027 are left in the hands of the new agency without any legislative clause. After 2027, there is no public funding. No guarantee of operation. All that is maintained is the current contract until 2027, which this bill states that it expires automatically with no provision for any continuity in the operation and existence of the Centres.
Today, once again in our working life, in the Prevention Centres, we are deeply concerned, as the criterion of this development is in no way the development, the strengthening, the upgrading of prevention, as is the case for treatment and social reintegration in the field of addictions. In fact, the therapeutic continuum is being broken and prevention is being detached from treatment and reintegration. Prevention after 2027 will, in practice, be implemented in a fragmented, opportunistic, fragmented way by ‘contractors’ of prevention programmes, using the services of private individuals, NGOs, European programmes, the Church, etc.
As Prevention workers we are against the entire bill that deals with addictions and undermines services and programs. We say NO to the bill that eliminates us!
We demand:
– Not to table the bill – To preserve the psycho-social philosophy of prevention, of
Treatment and Social Reintegration. To preserve the corresponding philosophy and practices that involve the different therapeutic programmes. – Not to endanger the jobs of the employees in the prevention centres and as a whole. – Full, adequate and dedicated funding for the Centers Prevention Centres from the state budget. – A unified institutional framework for the Prevention Centres on the basis of and staffing them with sufficient, permanent staff, based on the decisions of the staff, with full employment rights.
– The Prevention Centres to remain approved prevention agencies. Maintain its identity, its philosophy and its content Prevention. – Not to merge Prevention Centres. – To establish Prevention Centres in areas where they do not exist: East – East West Attica, Piraeus and other municipalities in the Balkan region, Lasithi. – Filling the 130 staff vacancies.
– Not to repeal Article 60 of Law No. 4139 of 2013 and Article 61 3459 of 2006, which are repealed in Article 46 of existing draft law, unless it is accepted that the timeless our institutional proposal, which is the basis of any discussion, which which is available to OCANA and the Ministry and through which the continuation of the operation of the Prevention Centres, the jobs and the psychosocial model of intervention. To this end, we are taking initiatives to make our positions visible to society. Indicatively, we propose : – A text to ensure the operation of the centres which will that will reach everywhere. – Media interviews and press releases
– Deepening the councils of municipalities and regions (outgoing and incoming) outgoing and incoming) – Where this is helpful we mobilise with us the Boards of the Centres . – Protest to the Ministry of Health – Opening the issue to local communities, to political bodies, Open to the local communities, political associations, unions, ELME-DOE, Metropolises, Labour Centres, associations of parents, etc., meeting with the KEDE.
– We are expanding the existing cooperation, coordinating with the neighbouring Unions, locally, where there are central ( units of KETHEA in our region, 18ANo, Diaplus, Argo etc.) in a common front. – Participation in the open conference on the prevention of addictions and The participation in a conference on the prevention of addiction and rehabilitation.
We are moving forward with our movements and mobilizations and in 10 days or less depending on developments we will come back to reassess and redesign. We have experience, knowledge, and ways to put pressure to strengthen prevention and the continuation of the Centres for the Prevention of Addictions and the promotion of psychosocial health, with the main objective of universal prevention for the whole community.
The Board. ”
