`THE NUMBER ONE RULE IS THAT YOU DO NOT GIVE MONEY TO DRUG ADDICTS'

Addiction Support Groups Slam Cash Incentive

A proposed government scheme which will see money given to drug users
in rehabilitation has been roundly condemned by drug addiction support
groups across the island.

The scheme, which has been proposed by the Welfare Services at the
Labour Ministry, will give 50 drug addicts already in rehabilitation
UKP 1,000 each in an effort to get them to kick their habits.

The Clinical Director of Ayia Skepi, one of the island's biggest
rehabilitation centres, yesterday told the Cyprus Mail that the idea
is "outrageous". Tina Pavlou said the scheme is being implemented
without asking anybody involved in the field of addiction.

"In every way you look at it, it doesn't make sense. The number one
rule is that you do not give money to drug addicts.

"As far as I understand it, UKP 50,000 has been approved, with the
figure set to rise in 2006. That money would be much better spent on
educating, housing and employing people.

"What also disappoints me is that it's so hard to find money for
rehabilitation programmes but so easy to find money for this scheme.
Our centre receives annual funding to the tune of UKP 30,000 from the
Health Ministry, which has been reduced to UKP 20,000 this year due to
cutbacks. Therefore, if it's a difficult financial year for the
government, where is the money for this scheme coming from?"

She explained that users who attend rehabilitation programs are
entitled to apply for government help but wasn't sure of the exact
details or if people had already received money.

Ayia Skepi is a long-term in-patient therapeutic community, with all
drug users welcome to join their rehabilitation programmes free of
charge. The centre mainly deals with heroin addicts and was founded in
1999.

The manager of the Cyprus Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug
Addiction was equally scathing.

Neoclis Georgiades, whose centre is the only official body on the
island for information on drugs and who works in cooperation with the
European Drug Monitoring Centre in Lisbon, said that this is an
unusual practice which is not seen throughout the rest of Europe.

"It would be far better to provide money for housing, employment and
educational purposes. As far as we are concerned, this should not be
happening and we are not happy that we were not consulted beforehand,
even though we are a governmental service."

In defence of the plan, Chloe Koromia, Acting Director of the Social
Welfare Services, said naysayers have been basing their opinions on
information which has been misunderstood.

"Of course, we will not be giving money to drug users and agree that
money should not be given to people who have no intention of kicking
the habit.

"Our scheme will benefit addicts who are already in rehabilitation
programs and we will issue the money with great care and ensure that
it is used in the correct way. It is very important that the money is
used in a positive way for people's rehabilitation."

She added that no cheques have yet been issued and "before approval is
given, criteria and regulations will be put in place to ensure that
the scheme runs smoothly.