Outreach work among drug users in Europe: concepts, practice and terminology

This paper discusses some key findings from a project entitled Concepts, Practices and Terminology of Outreach Work among Drug Users in the European Union, commissioned by the EMCDDA. Many new drug prevention and intervention methods are now being practised in European countries, alongside traditional forms like inpatient detoxification or substitution treatment. The all European approach of this project arose from the need for more information and know how relating to such alternative methods. The project involved a cross national state-of-the-an-comparison of outreach activities from two perspectives: national level policy and actual working practices. Data was collected on target groups, working methods, organisational contexts and evaluation practices. The research consisted of a multi stage survey of local, national, and international outreach work experts, a literature study, and an expert meeting where preliminary findings were discussed and revised. The results showed that outreach work is being increasingly practised in EU member states. Significant differences as well as similarities between countries emerged, both in the theoretical, political and social backgrounds of outreach work and in current outreach practices. This paper first examines such differences and similarities in the light of four generic analytical models of outreach work conceptualised as the youth work, catching clients, self-help, and public health models and establishes which models are predominant in with countries. Second, the paper highlights new developments, such as outreach work among synthetic drug users and alternative working methods that deploy peers or volunteers. Third, it explores the conceptual frameworks applied in the various countries. No generally shared terminology yet exists to refer to outreach work. Although outreach is a wellknown concept in Britain and Ireland, terms meaning street work are more common in other countries. The paper concludes by proposing a new definition of outreach work based on these findings, and by identifying some potential areas for future outreach activities. (Author' s abstract)