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our positioning

The Dianova network is committed to complementing the various treatment and educational systems, both public and private, in all of the areas where our programs are offered and is dedicated to promoting quality partnerships with them.

A range of government agencies and NGO's are currently partnering with our teams on the implementation of specific initiatives, as well as on the monitoring and evaluation of our programs.

accreditations

The professional quality of our services is attested to by government agencies in those countries where Dianova is established. All of our facilities are duly accredited by the ministries or departments of Education, Health and/or Social Welfare of the individual countries in which we function.

addiction related issues - core positionning

In the field of substance abuse treatment, Dianova maintains a clear position regarding important issues that concern people involved in the problem of drugs.

1. Dianova is in favor of decriminalization of the consumption of drugs that are currently illegal, but is against their legalization.
2. Harm and risk reduction. Dianova is in favor of diversity in the types of care offered
3. Heroin substitution treatments. Dianova considers the study of new therapeutic alternatives as positive.
4. Safe rooms for injecting drugs (injection rooms). Dianova considers that these resources must only be a part of more ambitious programs.

DIANOVA IS IN FAVOR OF DECRIMINALISATION OF THE COMSUMPTION OF DRUGS THAT ARE CURRENTLY ILLEGAL, BUT IS AGAINST THEIR LEGALIzATION

We are against the criminalization of drugs users, in other words, against legislative measures, police actions or social attitudes that mean the repression of and/or discrimination against drugs users. apart from being ineffective, these repressive measures lead to the hiding and isolation of drug users, exclusion from the care network, absence of hygiene measures, an isolated lifestyle and violence. However Dianova is against the legalization of drugs that are currently illegal. This posture is based, among others, on the following reasons: The problems caused by the abuse of drugs do not depend on their legal or illegal status, but on factors that lead people to the harmful use of these substances. We feel therefore, it is probable that if traditional forms of control were suppressed, the sudden availability of these drugs would lead to a very strong increase in consumption and associated social and health problems.

HARM AND RISK REDUCTION. DIANOVA IS IN FAVOR OF DIVERSITY IN THE TYPES OF CARE OFFERED

We think that offering treatment only to those who want to give up substance abuse completely means ignoring a considerable number of users. Harm reduction programs are based on this necessary diversity. However, we consider that these programs must be subject to particular attention that guarantees:

• That orientation of a user towards a harm reduction program is the result of an accurate assessment that takes into consideration the aspirations and needs of each person, and does not respond to the fact that it is the only or the cheapest resource available

• That programs should be permeable towards each other. In other words, the potential of these programs be used to increase the motivation and skills of users, referring them to other more demanding programs when they are ready.

• That the theoretical bases of the programs are consistent with their practical application. For example: ensuring that the program has the necessary resources and that these are sufficient to achieve the health and psychosocial objectives envisaged.

HEROIN SUBSTITUTION TREATMENTS. DIANOVA CONSIDERS THE STUDY OF NEW THERAPEUTIC ALTERNATIVES AS POSITIVE.

In relation to the specific case of heroin substitution treatments we raise the following consideration: it is appropriate for research to continue with the aim of offering treatment alternatives for users resistant to current substitution treatments. However, we insist once more: they must be aimed at a very restricted and assessed user profile; by no means are they an alternative for all heroin users. These programs must be provided with suitable resources and their effectiveness must be subject to strict evaluation.

SAFE ROOMS FOR INJECTING DRUGS (INJECTION ROOMS). WE CONSIDER THAT THESE RESOURCES MUST ONLY BE A PART OF MORE AMBITIOUS PROGRAMS.

In view of the evolution of these facilities, we think that the controversy generated around them is out of all proportion to the limited existence of this type of scheme. For us, safe injection rooms must be framed within a broader program of risk or harm reduction. If the injection room is an isolated resource, its effectiveness will be highly limited. If the injection room is related with other types of harm or risk reduction actions, it may be a resource that will contribute to the effectiveness of the program overall.