Viennese addiction programs in danger: cuts threaten life support!

Viennese addiction programs in danger: cuts threaten life support!

In Vienna, a planned austerity program is causing a stir as support for addicts is at risk. This particularly applies to programs that aim to make it easier to re-enter the labor market. While the city maintains that savings are necessary, numerous organizations fear that the cuts could have devastating consequences for those affected as well as for the employees in the facilities. Loud meinkreis.at Funding for such institutions should be reduced by 20 to 50 percent.

How dramatic the situation is is shown by the fact that one institution has already announced over 20 layoffs and other organizations also fear for the future of their employees. Ewald Lochner, coordinator for psychiatry, addiction and drug issues, sees the savings as necessary, but assures that each facility has to decide for itself how to deal with them. According to Lochner, the treatment of addictions should remain unchanged. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen how the situation in hot spots will develop and whether low-threshold offers in public spaces will continue to exist despite the general increase in prices.

Consequences for addiction prevention

But the situation in Vienna cannot be viewed in isolation. A worrying trend is also emerging at the national level. The German main office for addiction issues warns of the dramatic consequences of the savings at the Federal Ministry of Health, which could mean a reduction of around four million euros in project and campaign funds next year. From 2023 to 2024, funds for addiction prevention will decrease from 13.2 million euros to 9.2 million euros. These drastic cuts also have an impact on educational measures regarding drug and substance abuse.

Studies show the high efficiency of investments in addiction prevention, which not only promote individual well-being but can also minimize subsequent economic costs. According to the DHS, responsibility for addiction prevention lies with the federal, state and local governments. High-ranking representatives are therefore calling for the planned cuts to be reversed and funding to be increased in order to protect particularly vulnerable groups such as children and young people.

An appeal to those responsible

The situation in Vienna and the nationwide savings illustrate the urgent need to find sustainable solutions for addiction prevention. If there are cuts here, it will have far-reaching consequences not only for the people affected, but for society as a whole. How ORF Vienna reports, it is clear: a sensible addiction policy must be a priority, because addiction is an issue that affects us all. It remains to be hoped that those responsible will take the necessary measures to not only maintain but also expand support for addicts in Vienna and beyond.