KETHEA network of services

The network operates throughout Greece and offers its services to individuals with diverse needs and different levels of substance abuse. In recent years, through the implementation of the new national plan for drug abuse, in which KETHEA plays a key role, the network has expanded its services and opened new units and programmes in new areas in the country to include new population groups.

Today the KETHEA network comprises:

Counselling Centres where drug addicts and their families receive an initial support. These centres are located in Athens, Piraeus, Thessaloniki, Larissa, Volos, Patras, Iraklion and Aghios Nikolaos in Crete, Kavala, Alexandroupolis and at the Juvenile Courts in Athens. There are also advisory services that refer those in need of support to recovery units in Elefsina, Giannitsa, Ioannina, Kilkis, Komotini and Trikala, in cooperation with the local authorities which have provided the premises. In conjunction with the services offered in these cities, the nature and volume of local needs is ascertained with a view to creating new units within the KETHEA network of services wherever necessary.

Recovery units, focusing on recovery from psychological dependence, are a fundamental stage of the KETHEA therapeutic programmes. These are:

  Residential therapeutic adult communities and outpatient day care therapeutic communities in Rafina, Attica (PAREMVASSI), in Sindos, Thessaloniki (ITHAKI), in Larissa (EXODOS), in Salamina (NOSTOS), in Athens (DIAVASSI  day programme and evening programmed for working addicts) and in Iraklion, Crete (ARIADNI).

  Recovery units for adolescents and/or young adults in outpatient day care programmes in Athens (STROFI, PLEFSI), Piraeus (EXANTAS), Thessaloniki (ANADYSSI), Volos (PILOTOS) and Patras (OXYGONO).

Re-entry Centres in Athens, Piraeus, Thessaloniki, Larissa, Volos, Patras and Iraklion in Crete, providing support for the social and job market integration of individuals who have completed the main therapy phase in recovery units.

Family Support Centres for the support of families of addicts. The services are provided regardless of whether or not the drug addict members of these families are following a therapeutic programme. These centres operate in Athens, Piraeus, Thessaloniki, Larissa, Alexandroupolis, Kavala, Volos, Patras, Iraklion and Aghios Nikolaos in Crete.

Alternative Transitional Schools in Athens, Thessaloniki, Larissa and Iraklion in Crete for former substance abusers who are involved in therapeutic programmes.

Specialised Vocational Training and Re-Entry Centres for members and graduates of recognised therapeutic programmes in Athens, Thessaloniki, Larissa and Iraklion in Crete.

A Legal Support Service for KETHEA therapeutic programme members with offices in Athens and Thessaloniki.

The KETHEA ALPHA with headquarters in Athens, which offers therapeutic programmes to combat alcohol addiction and legal gambling.

KETHEA Counselling Unit for Imprisoned Drug Addicts in Thessaloniki with a network of counselling support and motivational programmes in penal institutions in Northern Greece.

KETHEA Reception and Reintegration Centre for Released Prisoners in Thessaloniki providing support for the recovery and/or social reintegration of released drug addicts and former drug abusers.

EN DRASSI counselling programmes for prisoners and a Therapeutic Community in prisons located in Attica as well as a Reception Centre for Released Prisoners in Athens.

The EXELIXIS Multiple Intervention Centre provides multifaceted support to drug addicts who are cut off from social services or who do not wish to take part in a therapeutic programme. It includes among other activities, a street-work programme, a drop-in centre and a diagnostic centre.

The MOSAIC Centre which provides counselling support, social care and training to migrants, repatriates and refugees, aims at job and social integration of these minority groups, as well as focusing on drug abuse prevention or treatment.

The ITHAKI help-line 1145 which provides psychological help to drug addicts, relatives and friends of addicts.

A Prevention Sector which includes Prevention Sections in Primary and Secondary Education and the PEGASOS Mobile Information Unit, as well as the IKAROS Prevention Unit for high-risk groups.

The Training Department which offers training and professional certification in drug abuse treatment and prevention, the training of members in therapeutic programmes, scientific publications and a library specialised in drug addiction.

The Research Sector which records the profile of individuals entering the therapeutic programmes and evaluates the therapeutic, prevention and training programmes implemented by KETHEA.

Guesthouses that accommodate adolescents and adults taking part in KETHEA therapeutic programmes in Athens and in Iraklion, Crete.

The Printing Unit ‘SCHEMA & CHROMA’ which is located in Sindos, Thessaloniki. The purpose of this unit is the self-financing and occupational training of members in the therapeutic programmes. A carpenter’s workshop, a ceramics workshop and various farms in the same area operate with similar goals.