THE BENEFITS OF LOW-THRESHOLD PROGRAMS FO R DRUG-ABUSERS IN THE INSTANCE OF THE CITY OF ZURICH

Low threshold services for drug users are a comparatively new approach in programs for drug users. The authors evaluate the facilities offer ed in Zurich with special regard to their establishment, concepts and objectives. The change of paradigms from unconditional abstinence towa rds an accepting attitude is characterized and explained by the notion s of contextualization, differentiation and resubjectivation. The eval uation aims at the assessment of these premises of low threshold progr ams for drug users. The assessment is scheduled in three stages from J anuary to December 1995. This requires the use of standardized quantit ative and guideline based qualitative instruments. In baseline intervi ews a total of 837 contacts with 655 persons could he achieved. Sociod emographic features drug career and frequency of use of the different facilities on the sample day are described as initial data. A recontac t rate of 60% from the first panel of interviews which ended in Januar y 1995 is considered satisfactory.