The President of the Cyprus Anti-Addiction Authority, Christos Minas, stated in a written declaration that one of the immediate goals of the authority is to establish a “one stop” centre, which will provide day centre services, supervised consumption rooms, and sleeping quarters for homeless individuals, on the occasion of the International Day of Reducing Harm.
In this way, he notes, the harm reduction services provided in Cyprus will be expanded, as well as the care for individuals who are not ready to cease substance use.
May 7th has been designated as the World Day of Reducing Harm, thus highlighting the particular significance of the harm reduction philosophy concerning substance use disorders. It represents a practical approach for individuals not ready to cease substance use at the moment. Hence, other services are provided aiming to reduce the negative consequences associated with usage.
According to its President, the Cyprus Anti-Addiction Authority, through the National Strategy 2021-2028, promotes and supports various harm reduction measures in Cyprus, such as the operation of the Immediate Access and Harm Reduction Centre “STOCHOS” in Nicosia, substitution therapy programs in all districts and central prisons, the distribution of harm reduction kits through vending machines, the provision of naloxone (the antidote for opioids), and education on overdose prevention, rapid diagnostic tests for Hepatitis B, C, and HIV in treatment facilities, promotion of harm reduction measures through the mobile unit “Care Zone,” as well as actions to reduce road accidents caused by driving under the influence of legal and illegal substances.
It is now indisputable, Minas states, that harm reduction works, is economically efficient, and can be successfully implemented across a variety of interventions.
Therefore, he adds, the Cyprus Anti-Addiction Authority will continue to invest in this direction, aiming for the comprehensive protection of all citizens directly and indirectly affected by the phenomenon of addiction.
