FREE FROM DRUGS

Organisation was established in 1984. Free from Drugs is the oldest non-governmental organisation to provide support and information services for people with drug and substance abuse in Finland.

Through 24 years experience of helping families in drugs related crises, we have developed a diverse portfolio of services such as counselling and support for individuals and families, as well as phone and email services.

The contribution of the organisation is largely based on voluntary work. We have about 200 volunteers, however, also employ 14 professional staff. We are operating in 18 local branches nationwide in Finland. The organisation works independently and without religious base.

Free from Drugs organisation exists to give drug addicts and substance abusers as well as to their families the opportunity to access information and support. Our services are adaptable to individual needs.

Our aim is also to influence Government policy on drugs and substance abuse, particularly treatment and rehabilitation.

We also
•    Provide information on the impact of drugs on families,
      and how society should respond.
•    Prevent and reduce drug related harm by giving information
      on drugs and the problem of addictions, especially drug addictions.
•    Support restrictive drug policy.
•    Participate in drug related conversation in the Media.

VOLUNTEER WORK IN LOCAL BRANCHES

(Aluetoiminta)

Free from Drugs organisation has activities in 18 local branches in Finland and Ahvenanmaa. All volunteers are trained from the Staff. They are treated with respect and their roles and responsibilities are clear. Volunteers are not paid for their involvement.

Volunteer work at all times with guidance from the stuff. Volunteers can engage in different tasks in local branches based on their own interest and suitability. These tasks include among others working as a support person, arranging events; lecturing to various audiences, fundraising or answer to the Service line (Palveleva puhelin). All work is done under strict confidentiality.

Anyone interested in applying to be a volunteer can email us.

Contact us:

Coordination of  volunteering work

 

Ulla Lipsanen

Tel: +358 50 320 8947

 

Anne Salovaara-Kero

Tel: +358 50 371 34 55

Tel: + 358 (0)6 361 6460
Fax: + 358 (0)6 361 6461

Email: Volunteer work in local Branches

 

SERVICES

National Drug Service line

Confidential drug information and advice in The National Drug Service Line by Free from Drugs organisation Tel. +358 (0)10 80 4550

Free from Drugs organisation maintains confidential telephone service that offers advice, support and information for those who are concerned or have questions about drugs.

The service is available to anyone Mon-Fri 9 - 15 and 18 - 21 at a very reasonable cost. The Service line not only provides advice but also confidential counselling to callers who think they have a drug related problem. Callers might be drug users, recovering or past users, friends, family or colleagues. All staff employed and volunteers on the Service line have been trained by Free From Drugs organisation and conversations are confidential.

These are typical questions put to the Service line staff:

• What should I do if my son/daughter is on drugs?
• Does smoking cannabis lead to taking harder drugs like heroin?
• What are the risks of taking illegal drugs?
• Where can I get more help locally?

Preventative work

We provide information and services to:

• Work places and schools
• Different events and occasions, especially parent evenings

In order to catch maximum clientele, we are closely cooperating with local and national institutions and organisations.

Individual client meetings can be organised in the local branches

• Clients can be drug users, recovering or past users,
      friends, family or colleagues.
• Meetings can be arranged for either individuals or
      to the whole family.
• The number of meetings is not limited.

Support person

• Clients can be drug users, recovering or past users,
      friends, family or colleagues.
• Meetings can be arranged for either individuals or
      to the whole family.
• The number of meetings is not limited.

The Support person is a trained volunteer who can provide support during difficult times when the customer feels that his own resources are not sufficient.  All staff and volunteers working as support persons have been trained by the organisation and all conversations are confidential.

The support person and a client make an agreement, which specifies the roles and responsibilities for both sides. Support to clients can take different forms and vary from meetings, telephone or e-mail contacts to assistance in dealing with different authorities or daily routines.

Some typical situations when a support person can be of assistance:

• detoxification (coming off the drug if physically addicted)
• preventing relapse
• coping with relapse

Peer Support Group

• Customers might be drug users, recovering or past users,
      friends or family.
• Open and closed groups, guided by a qualified Supervisor
• Possibility to share experiences in the group and learn
     from others.

FAMILY SUPPORT CENTRE
(Perhetyönkeskus)

The Stuff working in the Family Support Centre is professionals in therapy work. The services are meant for drug addicts and their families in different phases during the use and the recovery. We provide confidential counselling to clients who think they have a drug related problem.

Services are flexible and innovative in providing assistance and responding to family needs. Family Support Centre offers services free and there is no need for referral.

The stuff is specialised to assist in the family crises caused by drug abuse.

Forms of support:

• Information
• Psychosocial support
• Family therapy services
• Open and closed groups
• Email and telephone information

Contact us:
The address: Family Support Centre
Mariankatu 13 A 2, 00170 Helsinki
Tel. +358 (0)10 830 8011, +358 (0)10 830 8012
Fax +358 (0)10 830 8050
Email: perhetyo(at)irtihuumeista.fi

TRAINING
(Koulutus)

All volunteers from Free From Drugs are trained by the organisation. The focus of training is to provide the volunteers with basic knowledge of drugs and substance abuse and give them information and skills to help clients with drug problem. It is important to support the volunteers to choose a task, which is suitable for them, and provide them with coping skills.

Free from Drugs organisation lectures and gives information on drugs e.g. to parent evenings, schools and various training institutions and workplaces. Lecturers are from among the stuff or qualified volunteers from local branches. Lectures are based on the needs of the client. The subjects vary from effects or identification of drug abuse; the use of the narcotics as a social phenomenon to family crisis and rehabilitation.

Contact us:

Anne Salovaara-Kero

Tel: +358 50 371 34 55

Tel: + 358 (0)6 361 6460
Fax: + 358 (0)6 361 6461

SERVICE OFFICE
(Palvelutoimisto)

The stuff of Free from Drugs Organisation is based in the Service Office in Helsinki. Their responsibilities include support the volunteers in the branches, information and communication, marketing, economic administration, product sales (Web-shop) and publications e.g. Irti magazine.

Contact us:
Service office:
Add: Mariankatu 13 A 1, 00170 Helsinki
Tel: +358 (0)10 830 8000
Fax: +358 (0)10 830 8050
Email: info(at)irtihuumeista.fi

The BOARD 2009

Chairperson
Anita Kinanen, MSc, Head of the department

Debuty Chairperson
Ketonen Yrjö, chief sergeat of criminal police (ret.)

Deputies
Kuronen, Matti J.  dean, family therapist and pair therapist
Mannisenmäki Eija, Master of Arts in Education
Mäki, Terhi, Town councillor of Helsinki, member of the social welfare board; practical nurse

Sillanpää Marjukka, Economy Administrator in the local branch in Turku
Virtanen Kari, Training Manager, Myllyhoitoyhdisys ry

Deputies

Mannonen Outi, Attorney of law
Turunen Juha, LT, Training Manager
Ylinen Tuula, in the local branch in Tampere