New methadone centers to open in Athens
Twelve new methadone centers are due to open at hospitals around Attica on Friday with the aim of gradually reducing the backlog of 3,500 drug addicts who are waiting for assistance.
Until now, users had relied on the Organization Against Drugs (OKANA) centers to receive treatment. But the buildings became synonymous with rising crime in their surrounding areas and the lack of resources to deal with the demand for help.
The OKANA center in Piraeus is scheduled to close on October 3, while the two centers in downtown Athens are due to be shut down in November.
