Information in English

Therapeutic communities (TCs) are for more than 40 years specific and accepted type of treatment of drug users with dependent behaviour. First TC for drug users was established in the Czech Republic in 1991 shortly after a change of political regime whereas the majority of currently existing 15 TCs have appeared in the second half of 90’s. Despite this TCs are perceived as fully accepted treatment modality legitimated by the Czech law since 2006.

Section of Czech TCs working under an umbrella of A.N.O. (Association of Non-governmental organizations providing drug services) has been established in 1999. The aim of this step was to create a voluntarily based expert platform for exchange of know-how, information and experience in order to continually improve quality and effectiveness of services provided to residents in member TCs. To date in the Section participate 10 TCs providing programmes that meet Standards of Professional Eligibility, and thus are certified by the governmental National Inter-ministerial Drug Commission.

Within the Section heads and representatives of member TCs meets regularly – usually three times a year, and specific activities are being organized for residents of all member TCs. Meetings run on an circulatory basis - each time the Section meets in other facility that host their colleagues. Within meetings usually following issues are being discussed:

  • Introduction of host TC, its programme, specifics, environment etc.
  • ‘Round the table‘ – exchange of information on situation in member TCs with regard to programmes, their potential updates and/or innovations implemented, statistical data, new trends with regard to residents´ behaviour, difficulties that the TCs face etc.
  • Specific topics – e.g. standards of professional elegibility, funding of services, requirements from the state bodies and/or umbrella association A.N.O., provision of research and/or evaluation of TCs´ programmes.
  • Organizational issues – PR of the Section of TCs, web page, publications, preparation of presentations for national conference for drug services providers etc.
  • Developmental questions – discussion about options to further improve and develop mutual cooperation (e.g. study visits, referral of residents, common activities). Recently the Section prepared a grant application for European Social Fund aiming to enhance mutual cooperation and widespread the spectrum of joint activities (e.g. to organize national conference of the Czech TCs, to provide specific trainings for the staff of member TCs, to enable visits of residents from one to another TC etc.).

Except of meetings of the Section there are two very important activities being organized regularly for residents for member TCs:

  • Olympic games for residents – these are taking part annually in summer and all TCs continually host the games. The host TC prepares programme, disciplines (e.g. football, cross-country running, volleyball, cycling race) whereas at least one of them is specifically made out for respective game in order to surprise guests – e.g. cross-country skiing on grass, highboot-throw.
  • CulturFest for residents – this activity takes part exclusively in one of member TC located in previous military anti-rocket base with plenty of bunkers. Instead of weapons of mass destruction theatre performances prepared by residents from all member TCs take part in these bunkers. Also other art activities take part within the festival that last the whole weekend in autumn – e.g. statuary, painting, - but also tournament in football and/or evening spent jointly at the fest-fire.

Prague, 21 May, 2008

Josef Radimecký
Chair of the Section of TCs