Community-based Drug Prevention in Poland

Abstract

The Kuznia programme is a complex support system for children and young people from high-risk groups. Its main purpose is to enable those young people to work out their own methods of problem-solving and to create lifestyles which represent an alternative to drug use. The programme has two main parts: individual care (usually in the form of psychological guidance), together with group activities and intervention in family surroundings. An integral element of the programme is topic-oriented activities, that is, an organized series of activities that encourage the clients to spend their free time in a satisfying yet socially acceptable manner. The programme is carried out in 50 youth clubs and 'consulting offices' throughout Poland. Kuznia centres work in various different local environments, both in large towns and small villages. In 1998, Kuznia took care of over 2600 young people from 8 to 18 years of age.