Streetwork program

Mission of streetwork program

The mission of the streetwork program is to search users of illegal substances in their natural environment, to minimize the risks associated with taking drugs and other dangerous behavior, and to inform the users of illegal substances and the public about the risks associated with taking drugs and other dangerous behavior.

The social service is realized based on an authorization according to Act No. 108/2006 Coll., about social services, valid since 1. 1. 2007 (registered social service)

The list of basic activities is laid down in Act No. 108/2006 Coll., about social services, valid since 1 January 2007, the content is stated in the Decree No. 505/2006 Coll., Part Two.

The service is governed by the Quality Standards of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and Government Council for Drug Policy Coordination. In 2005, The service got the first GCDPC Certificate of Professional Qualification. The current certificate is valid until 9.3.2019.

Policy of service providing

• volunteering - The user of the service decides for the provided services voluntarily
• low-threshold - means availability, free entry, without member card, without application, without surname
• equal access - services are provided regardless of gender, race, education, political or other opinion, religion, legal or social status, nationality or ethnic minority, mental or physical condition
• secrecy and confidentiality - the protection of personal and sensitive users' data is maintained, workers protect the user's right of privacy and the confidentiality of his / her communication
• Individual approach - workers take into account the current life situation of the service user and his / her individual needs
• expertise - services are provided by workers with appropriate education and experience

Target group

• people at risk of addiction or addicted on addictive substances

Age category of clients

• adolescents (18 years) young adults (19-26 years) adults (27-64 years)

Goals of the program

• establishing contact with clients who are on the drug scene
• motivation of the client to visit a specialized facility (K-centers), therapeutic community or other treatment
• motivation for integration, or reintegration into society, solving problems according to the individual needs of the client
• minimizing social risks related to drug use
• stabilization of the client's social conditions for his subsequent abstinence (ideally) eg. in the area of habitation, employment, family background, etc.
• changing the risky behavior of drug users towards less risky
• minimizing the risk of somatic harm, eventually its elimination or reduction
• supporting the client's own activities to solve his / her social situation

The streetwork program runs in Pilsen and in the regional towns of Nýrsko, Sušice and Horažďovice

Street-workers are in the field:

Mon 8:00 – 14:00 Pilsen
Tue odd week: 8:00 – 12:00 Pilsen; 14:00 – 18:00 Sušice
even week: 10:00 – 14:00 Pilsen; 15:00 – 18:00 Nýrsko, Horažďovice (1x in 2 weeks)
Wed 8:00 – 14:00 Pilsen
Thue 10:00 – 12:00 Project "Clean subway"
13:00 – 15:00 Pilsen

Streetwork Team

Social worker: Bc. Šárka Sedláčková, DiS.
Workers: Martin Petr
Jan Růžička
Jana Jindrová (volunteer)
Supervisor: MUDr. Luboš Janů, Ph.D.

Extra activities of streetwork program

Clean subway

The project consists in cleaning the underpass at the Central Bus Station in Pilsen. It is realized once a week by two streetworkers and it is designed for 10 field program clients. It supports the building of basic working habits, making the user more able to engage in the labor market (in case of resocialization). It further contributes to the overall cleanliness of the city of Pilsen by regularl cleaning the subway at the Central Bus Station and it is involved in the change of public opinion and the change in the approach of the citizens of the city of Pilsen to the users of addictive substances.

Be Safe

The project focuses on people who's experimenting or regularly using addictive substances that are not in contact with any professional institution. They are people moving on the dance scene. The project can act both preventively and interventively to reduce the risks of substance abuse. The project is suitable for both the club enviroment and open-air events. The service is always pre-agreed with the promoter or club owner, and the streetworkers accept and follow the rules they have agreed upon. The aim is to preventively protect health and reduce harm by providing harm reduction services, including basic information and consulting.

Free time activities

The goal of free time activities is to support clients in active rest and healthy leisure time using a structured program. Once a month, clients can engage in leisure activities in a program (especially movement games) which is published in advance. Activities provide an appropriate room for establishing a relationship with a client in motivation to change lifestyle.