About Us
The Drug Prevention Foundation was founded in 1994 by Dr. Nóra Csiszér. She had experienced the beneficial effects of harm reduction in the Netherlands and realized how important it would be to have such services available here in Hungary as well. This, in time, became the very first needle exchange program in Budapest. Here at the DPF, we aim to help intravenous drug users by offering needle exchange kits, distributing harm reduction and health care information, and referring individuals to health, social, and legal services when necessary. Our program is a low-threshold service, so it is easily accessible for those who would otherwise not be eligible for other programs and services.
In the past years, our team has formed new services that are provided by the foundation to better suit the clients’ needs. We have also established an outpatient center, where through personal case-handling we provide consultation, psychiatric treatment, and medically assisted methadone therapy.
Along with the two centers in Budapest, we are also conducting prevention, education, and we also have a drop-out program where we collect drug related waste on the streets and try to find groups of hidden users and encourage their involvement in the program.
Our first long term goal is to reduce prejudices against drug users in our society. We believe in utilizing facts based on current information and research on drugs and abuse, and also establishing trust within the community. However, this is still a group that is very stigmatized which makes it difficult to maintain supplies and resources for them. Our employees know that even if someone is not ready for a change, he or she still deserves the help and services to aid in harm reduction. This is our basic philosophy, which we not only try to adhere to in our everyday practice, but also try pass on to the greater society.
For more information please send an e-mail to: info@dpa.hu
or visit our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/drogprevencios.alapitvany