A press conference on “Treatment of Home, Vulnerability and Dependence in the Center of Athens” was given today, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, by the Minister of State, Mr. Akis Skertsos, the Deputy Minister of Health, Mr. Dimitris Vartzopoulos, Mr. Dimitris Vartzopoulos. Logothetis and the President of the National Organization for Prevention & Addiction (EOPAE) and National Coordinator for the Treatment of Addictions, Mr. Athanasios Theocharis.
The press conference was held in the context of the government’s integrated actions to tackle a complex and multifaceted social reality: the increasing concentration of vulnerable populations in the historic and commercial center of Athens, many of which are in a state of stubbornness, are experiencing multiple psychosocial difficulties. Managing these phenomena requires a cooperative, inter -ministerial approach based on values such as human dignity, public health, social cohesion and security.
The government, recognizing the urgency of the issue and the need for a systematic and sustainable solution, presented the holistic operational plan for prevention, intervention and reintegration, which is based on the interconnection of health, public order and immigration policy services.
The Minister of State, Akis Skertsos said, “At the center of our politics is the sustainable, dynamic, steady development for all citizens. But it makes no sense to talk about numbers and growth rates if everyday life, the quality of life of citizens are affected and the sense of security of our citizens.
Admittedly, addressing the problem of hovercraft, vulnerability and dependencies in downtown Athens and other cities was not in the priorities of successive leaderships and governments, but now we have a plan with a personalized approach to vulnerable people in downtown Athens, and around what is not, That is why many different solutions and approaches are needed based on demographics and health elements of these people.
The government plan is not exhausted in daily micro -management but aims to reduce the population of vulnerable people in the medium term and to provide sustainable solutions, leading to users’ detoxification, disintegration and social reintegration. It will take time, patience and perseverance, a business center of the relevant bodies, which will monitor the implementation of the plan- with the presidency of the PKK government- recording the image on a weekly basis on the progress of all actions.
It is not an issue, which is resolved by repression, it is not a police problem, it is primarily a social issue, a public health problem and therefore needs a thorough and cooperative approach. But we will be very strict with the networks of traffickers, traders who exploit human souls, we will be sensitive to our vulnerable fellow citizens, all those who are sick, those who are dependent and will finally show care to the permanent residents of the suffering.
The Secretary General of Public Order, Mr. Panagiotis Stathis, stressed that “the Minister of Citizen Protection, Mr. Michalis Chrysochoidis, has raised the issue of combating drug trade in absolute priority, since as a form of crime, it is one of the most crime, as a crime. Users patients in need of immediate medical care. Among them are about (400) people who need support to get rid of the cycle of use. 2. Immigrants – users who do not have papers – a complex case. 3. Domestic in poor condition and by occasions of offenses. In recent years there has been a lot of talk about the synthetic drug “sis” (shise, Iranian word that means “glass”). Users in downtown Athens choose this one because of the low costs (made with highly toxic and dangerous materials: bleach, alcohol, hydrochloric acid, car battery fluids) ”.
The National Coordinator for the Treatment of Dependencies and President of the National Organization for Prevention and Dependencies (EOPAE) Mr. Athanasios Theocharis argued in his speech: overwhelmed population groups. We create services and structures on a consistent basis, in accordance with modern scientific standards and European best practices, which respect our vulnerable fellow citizen and meet his needs to manage the problem of dependency. With full respect for the social fabric, but also with responsibility to vulnerable people, we are proceeding with a protection net for everyone, with the aim of meeting needs and protecting public health. “
The Secretary General of Migration Policy, Mr. M. Logothetis, noted: “The Ministry of Immigration and Asylum must and must have a horizontal presence as a helper in the efforts of the government and in particular the Ministry of Health, in any matter of aliens, nationals, nationals, nationals, We also give the present for the specific action involving homeless, vulnerable, potentially addicted.
In this action we will develop synergies with the ministries involved and help in the field we can, such as interpretations, in the issue, possibly hospitality. At the same time, because there have been discussions on the issue of social reintegration of homeless people or toxic addicts, we must say that part of the social reintegration may also be considered the possibility of their voluntary returns in their countries, as they can be able to come out of their countries, Environment may exacerbate their vulnerability. Their possible return to their country of origin, which can be made through the existing mechanisms of the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum will be yet another choice in the social reintegration of homeless toxic addicts in downtown Athens. “
In his position, Mr. Dimitris Vartzopoulos noted that the central axis of the Ministry’s actions are to follow good practices that are applied to the most sophisticated states of central and northern Europe and other countries. As he said, the ministry’s goal is the personalized approach, which will reveal the numbers that determine the ways and scale of interventions. This means that there will be detailed control, on a personal level, of each beneficiary’s assessment to have a personalized treatment.
The Deputy Minister of Health, Mr. Dimitris Vartzopoulos, announced that “the government will create new structures of minimum entry conditions for the homeless and homeless drug users, in order to be treated with respect, to have immediate access to safe and safe places. These areas are the first point of contact with the state and health services with the ultimate goal of integrating them into therapeutic programs and ultimately their work and social reintegration. “
Source :Skai
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