The response of low-threshold organizations in the field of drugs and homelessness during Covid-19 in Slovenia

Harm reduction services played a key role in providing support to problem drug users and homeless people during the Covid-19 epidemic. At the time of the declared epidemics and lockdown, organizations had to adjust their operations overnight to support the most vulnerable service users, who became even more dependent on NGO assistance programs. Especially in the first wave of the epidemic, when the new and unclear situation lacked direction, organizations with their expertise and flexible response sought ways to stay and provide support on the ground.

Ethnographic research and fieldwork methods were used to monitor the needs of people who use drugs and homeless people and the responses of low-threshold services during the epidemic.

Low-threshold services quickly adapted to the new reality and the needs of the target groups by increasing outreach work, needle and syringe exchange activities, providing shelter management for homeless and marginalized groups and moving some interventions online. In addition, with the collaboration with healthcare services and organizations of the Red Cross they developed new forms of cooperation such as substitution and lunch packages distribution and transport of drug users for hepatitis C treatment. Despite that, four new HIV infections among injected drug users were reported in 2021.

Fast response and coordinated action between services working on the ground and decision-makers is essential in order to protect public health and provide adequate assistance to people from marginalized groups left alone during pandemics.