Foreword

Drug use often develops from being occasional to problematic: ties with close family members and non-using friends are gradually severed, while school and professional performance can be seriously affected and may come to a premature end. As a consequence, the normal process of socialisation, the integration of an individual from adolescence to adulthood as an independent, autonomous member of society, is jeopardised and this often leads to a gradual exclusion into the margins of society. However, this is a two-sided process. At the same time, society is marginalising problem drug users, making their access to education, employment and other social support even more difficult. Also, one should not forget that, in many cases, social exclusion already precedes drug use. Drug use often then exacerbates the already difficult life conditions of excluded individuals, making integration efforts a real challenge for the individual and for those providing support. This aspect is particularly relevant during the current period of economic difficulties in Europe, with high levels of unemployment among young European citizens and their gradual impoverishment.

Foreword

Drug use often develops from being occasional to problematic: ties with close family members and non-using friends are gradually severed, while school and professional performance can be seriously affected and may come to a premature end. As a consequence, the normal process of socialisation, the integration of an individual from adolescence to adulthood as an independent, autonomous member of society, is jeopardised and this often leads to a gradual exclusion into the margins of society. However, this is a two-sided process. At the same time, society is marginalising problem drug users, making their access to education, employment and other social support even more difficult. Also, one should not forget that, in many cases, social exclusion already precedes drug use. Drug use often then exacerbates the already difficult life conditions of excluded individuals, making integration efforts a real challenge for the individual and for those providing support. This aspect is particularly relevant during the current period of economic difficulties in Europe, with high levels of unemployment among young European citizens and their gradual impoverishment.

In order to protect problem drug users or recovering users from further social exclusion and to support them in their integration efforts, it is crucial that we provide individuals with opportunities and tools that are efficient, adequate and acceptable both for them and for their social environment. In this respect, the significant number of problem drug users who have accessed European drug treatment services in recent years reflects an important step towards integration. However, there is general consensus among professionals and researchers that neglecting the social needs of clients can undermine the gains achieved during treatment and that these needs ought to be addressed alongside treatment in order to assure long-term success. Measures addressing the housing, education, vocational and employment needs are therefore crucial reintegration complements.

This EMCDDA Insights publication brings together the existing evidence of interventions addressing the social reintegration of problem and recovering drug users, with a particular focus on improving their employability. The publication also presents the concepts behind social reintegration and an overview of available approaches in Europe. Here, as elsewhere, the question of ‘what works’ is crucial. Unfortunately, there are few scientifically robust studies available on such an important topic and many findings are based on studies conducted outside Europe

— mostly in the USA. While these studies provide us with a hint of what works in this field, their implementation under European conditions may often require considerable adaptations and even sometimes may not be feasible at all. This finding is a clear indication of the urgent need that exists for more research in this field in Europe in the coming years.

This publication will provide the reader with a comprehensive overview on different intervention types and the status quo of social reintegration measures for problem drug users. It informs us of both the developments in this area and the current practices in the EU Member States and provides indications of promising interventions that could inspire future research investments. Finally, this publication should provide decision-makers, professionals, researchers and the general public with the latest information available on an area that, despite its relevance for a large number of our citizens, has been neglected in recent years. I hope and believe that this Insight publication will in this way fill a real gap and provide these groups with the information needed to take decisions and make informed choices.

Although an individual life can follow very different patterns and paths, societies should be able to integrate as many of these patterns as possible and avoid marginalisation with all its negative consequences. Interventions described here can facilitate the process of (re)integrating recovering drug users and even active drug users in need into our societies. I certainly do hope that this publication can contribute to this process.

Wolfgang Götz

Director, EMCDDA