In this process, all local bodies and authorities concerned with drug related problems should collaborate. At the same time, the citizens of our communities must be protected effectively from drug related problems. Its goal is the active strengthening of children, adolescents, and adults and the various protective factors, comprising all measures of structural prevention in an attempt to prevent as many individuals as possible from harmfully using legal as well as illegal psycho-active substances. It is the task of the helping system to ensure that no moral or other judgement toward drug users prevents them from gaining access to the same care as any other individual. Therapeutic and social interventions must cover a large spectrum of available instruments with the aim of giving as many drug users as possible the chance of abandoning their addiction and harmful use and lead an integrated life in our communities.
Treatment aiming at abstinence often is a long-term process.
Abstinence-oriented treatment necessarily should be complemented with treatment setting intermediate aims, such as harm reduction. The target envisaged by harm reduction consists in helping present drug users to survive and overcome acute health and social crisis. All measures contributing to the avoidance of serious menacing infections and other harm are suited to achieve this goal. Low-threshold services, syringe exchange, consumer rooms, and the administration of substitute and, if necessary, original drugs being existing examples of this pillar. A crucial element of a well balanced pragmatic drug policy is the absolute necessity of its various measures to strive for balance and integration into an overall social and health care system.