The Government Board of the City Council of Madrid has authorized a spending of 727,685 euros on Thursday, integrated into the Territorial Rebalancing Fund, as a contribution to the autonomous body Madrid Salud for the financing of the Harm Reduction Center and overdose prevention in the Cañada Real, as reported by the Deputy Mayor of Madrid, Delegate for Security and Emergencies, and municipal spokesperson, Inma Sanz, at a press conference.
This psychosocial intervention center aims to provide rehabilitative treatment to individuals with addictions. Among its priorities is to provide a series of basic health and social services and establish an interpersonal relationship with individuals with active addictions who, despite showing significant biopsychosocial deterioration, are not in contact with existing care services. The goal of this intervention by Madrid Salud is for drug users in the Cañada area to start a treatment tailored to their needs.
In October 2019, Madrid Salud launched the Harm Reduction Center, which is available 365 days a year and offers basic services (hygiene, food, clothing, rest area, and psychosocial intervention) to mitigate the negative consequences associated with drug use. These services have recently been expanded to include basic health and social care, medical and nursing staff, and a new overdose prevention room.
During 2024, the Harm Reduction Center served 358 individuals (273 men and 85 women), of which 192 were first-time visitors. The majority of patients served are polydrug users, with 53% using cocaine and heroin (speedball), 34% using cocaine, and 13% using heroin. 78% use inhalation as their primary route of administration, and 22% use intravenous administration. There were 29,729 entries/interactions at the center.
Additionally, this facility provides breakfast, lunch, and snacks to ensure basic and balanced nutrition for all individuals served. In total, 24,905 food services were provided during the last year.
Unwanted Loneliness
Also funded by the Territorial Rebalancing Fund, an instrument for intervention in disadvantaged neighborhoods and areas, and with the aim of advancing territorial rebalancing and social improvement, the Government Board has approved a spending of 564,863 euros in favor of Madrid Salud to finance the Unwanted Loneliness Prevention Plan and assist individuals who perceive that their interpersonal relationships are insufficient or not of the desired quality. Specifically, it is allocated to the support service called ‘Vínculos’, whose beneficiary is the ASISPA Foundation, providing coverage to Madrid Salud centers for this strategic project to prevent unwanted loneliness.
In 2024, 23,396 individuals participated in specific activities of Madrid Salud to prevent unwanted loneliness, through 2,351 encounter groups, a 26% increase in participants compared to 2023.
According to the Health Study of the city of Madrid 2021, 13.8% of the surveyed individuals have frequently felt lonely, and 52% of them experience it uncomfortably. These data confirm the need to enhance actions to prevent loneliness in the general population, as well as in adolescents and young people.
The Unwanted Loneliness Prevention Plan has been implemented in all Madrid Salud centers since 2021, following a pilot project. It involves over 350 municipal professionals who carry out activities to provide coverage to the entire city’s population, considering that the feeling of loneliness is a growing problem that requires attention due to its potential to generate psychological discomfort and possible mental disorders and illnesses.
