An Empirical Study of the Working Conditions in the Drug Prevention Centers of Attika, Greece: New Prospects And Possibilities In An Era Of Uncertainty

Abstract

Introduction

Studies have documented that drug prevention centers in Greece have been through an era of turmoil and uncertainty (EKTEPN, 2015, Tsounis, 2012, Kiritsi and Tsiotra, 2004) underlining the staff's hard work all over Greece.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the current fiscal crisis on the operating conditions as described by the staff of the Attica substance prevention centers with the emphasis on main problem areas and solutions.

Material

Statistically reliable questionnaires were used by the research team investigating participants views on the aforementioned areas of enquiry.

Method

Two Questionnaires were administered to 59 psychologists and social workers working at the centers of Attica, Greece during the summer of 2015.

Results

The majority (85%) of those working at the centers mentioned the main problems as following:

– issues concerning the institutional role of the centers, the education and supervision of the staff;

– fiscal issues as a result of the economic austerity, which undermine the operation of the centers and the morale of the staff.

Conclusions

Our empirical study is actually the first one which delves into the inner workings of the drug prevention centers in Attica, Greece:

– the extent the phenomenon of drug dependence in Greece, examining the epidemiology and the influence of the financial crisis, as well as the strategies and action plans developed in a national and EU level;

– the most significant innovative and standard European and Greek prevention programs.

Finally, research methodological issues are discussed in the light of the main findings of the empirical research.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.