2. Streetwork and Outreach Networking

Streetwork and outreach actions are one of the main services provided by the Direct Access Network. OKANA has enhanced streetwork and outreach actions over the past three years and modified its streetwork activity addressed by the current needs ( new substances’ use, homelessness, covid, primary healthcare etc). The immediate response has set new entries on the field.

Data for three years were provided by the direct access unit. The progress of streetwork actions will be presented. New substance trends are also highlighted, as well as actions taken to address to the problem of homelessness and the fight against covid. For example, shisha, a new easily accessible substance that has emerged in Athens in recent years is analysed along with streetwork actions provided by OKANA for protection, safe use, hygiene and housing.

Despite the constraints of the Covid19 pandemic, the number of syringes distributed has increased more than 100%. The importance and contribution of these actions to public health will be presented, as well as the expected results for the future. Moreover, streetwork actions to achieve harm reduction policy to drug users using as substance shisha were employed distributing smoking pipes for that new substance, as well as kits for hygiene and pandemic protection.