The Board of Directors approved today the extension of the service contract for the renewal of the mobile unit «Madroño,» from the Dependency Institute of the Municipal Organization of Madrid Health, for the treatment, harm reduction, and home care for addictions in a situation of social exclusion, with a multi-year expenditure of nearly two million euros (1.92), for a period of three years.
As explained by the Deputy Mayor of Madrid, the delegate for security and emergency situations, and the municipal spokesperson, Inma Sanz, these devices are a fundamental tool for the care of those who, due to health, psychological, and social conditions, do not have access to conventional treatment centers. Therefore, a specific device capable of intervening in the individual’s own environment is required.
The significant presence of individuals with addictions who are not in contact with medical assistance services, where drug use is often associated with a significant deterioration of their psychophysical conditions (HIV infection, tuberculosis, mental health, etc.) and their situations of social marginalization, led the Health Addiction Institute to create, in 2004, the mobile unit Madroño for outreach and care. This service has always been highly active.
Its objectives include detecting these individuals, reducing the harms and risks associated with addictions, providing treatment in proximity, delivering socio-based care, and other complementary interventions (vaccinations, counseling, tests, etc.), as well as referring, when possible, to other resources in the Addiction Institute’s treatment network.
On one hand, the mobile unit performs social exclusion outreach. On the other hand, it also provides home care to patients with addictions and other diseases causing temporary or permanent disabilities, preventing the initiation or continuation of their addiction in reference care facilities. The service handles cases referred from the Health Dependency Institute in Madrid, following the established technical protocol for this purpose.
First 24-hour care
In 2023, the mobile unit Madroño assisted 451 individuals, 217 for services, and in the first half of 2024 (latest available data), they attended to 300 individuals, with 85 for this service. 100% of individuals are assisted within the first 24 hours of their request.
In 2023, 260 individuals received methadone treatment (81% men and 19% women), while in the first half of 2024, it was 188 (79% men and 21% women). Among service users, around 33% are under 40 years old, while over 50 represents 35%. 49% are foreigners, and 65% are homeless.
Regarding the program to reduce alcohol-related harms, 40 individuals were treated in 2023 and 30 in the first half of the previous year. 100% are homeless individuals who participated in the harm reduction room in the care network for homeless individuals, where the mobile unit provides health assistance.
Similarly, the home care program for individuals with addictions in a situation of temporary or permanent disability assisted 32 individuals in 2023 and 25 in the first half of 2024. Over 95% of these individuals are of Spanish nationality.
During this year and a half period, support to care resources in Villaverde and Embassadori was maintained, periodically, in the Marconi industrial area and Lavapiés streets. Additionally, drug and methadone transport for protected users at open doors and Beatriz Galindo centers, when necessary.
