CIVIL SOCIETY: 269 PRACTICES
KETHEA is the largest rehabilitation and social reintegration network in Greece. It has been providing its services to drug addicts and their families since Ithaki, the first Greek therapeutic community, was set up in 1983.
Read more: www.kethea.gr
KETHEA PILOTOS supports adolescents (from 14 years old), young adults and their families, with the aim of treating addictive behavior (substance use, internet, electronic gambling, alcohol, etc.) and their social reintegration. At the same time, KETHEA PILOT functions as a core of prevention and awareness for the problem of addictions in the wider community, implementing social, cultural and ecological initiatives, in collaboration with citizens and organizations. It also trains students, teachers, mental health professionals and other professional groups in managing problematic behaviors, supports and evaluates research and promotes participation in social actions focusing on solidarity, mobilization and personal responsibility.
KETHEA PILOTOS has gradually established since 2010 a scientific lending library specializing in addiction, adolescence, family, psychology, professional education, which numbers about 450 book titles, 85 journals, articles, educational material and student essays on related issues.
The library is housed on the 2nd floor of a three-storey restored industrial building, in the center of Volos, which also houses other services of the therapeutic program. The access to the library is from an independent entrance, without its customers coming in contact with the members of the therapeutic program and it serves the staff members, the parents of the members, the students of the University of Thessaly (counseling department) and mental health professionals of the area.
The library is open daily from 8: 30-15: 30 and is staffed by the head of education, a volunteer and a secretary. The books come from donations and are cataloged and classified according to the Dewey system in a database.
The aim of the initiative is to strengthen the scientific library in titles, to modernize the cataloging and lending processes, but above all to transform it into a living cell of society.
The target groups are:
• the parents and members of the KETHEA PILOTOS therapeutic program (450 served annually)
• the staff of KETHEA PILOTOS and KETHEA EXODOS (Larissa) - 55 people
• the mental health professionals and the scientific community of Thessaly
• the teachers, students of the schools of the area and the students of the University of Thessaly - 10,000 students of Gymnasiums and Lyceums in Magnesia, 17,500 students.
• the general population, with the aim of raising awareness / education on addiction issues and carrying out prevention actions or for participation in education, entertainment, culture actions.
Human development is the main goal of KETHEA's work. With this aim, KETHEA uses therapeutic, educational, recreational and creative processes. Creating a live open library can serve the above purposes as follows:
* systematic participation of KETHEA PILOTOS beneficiaries in cultural / creative activities
* the promotion of scientific dialogue and the production of scientific work in the field of addictions;
* the implementation of initial and continuing education programs for professional groups and the general population in the field of addictions
* the need to open the Therapeutic program to society, as a living and healthy cell of it, to strengthen relations with the neighborhood and the city
* the acquaintance / communication / awareness of the citizens with his work
* creating nteworking opportunities
* the voluntary participation of citizens, the interaction and the development of collaborations with institutions and citizens.
* the promotion of the educational / artistic / cultural creation of its members and the citizens, in general
* the development of social initiatives for the neighborhood and the city
* entertainment and the development of creative stimuli for a better quality of life
Given that there is no corresponding specialized library in Thessaly (as well as in the neighboring region of Epirus), and that there is a significant demand for book titles and articles (about 150 titles per year and a variety of material from 60-100 customers on average ), from different population groups, we consider this initiative to be very important.
a. the strengthening of the scientific library of KETHEA PILOTOS with the aim of enriching its titles and activities.
b. the improvement of the process of cataloging, operation, navigation and search and the integration in the "special scientific libraries" of Greece.
c. its evolution into a living cell of society. More specifically:
*the "opening" of the library in the neighborhood, the city and the region (eg the creation of voluntary groups of special scientific and social interest)
*strengthening lending and public information functions
* conducting research and producing scientific work in the field of addictions
* the implementation of initial and continuing education programs for professional groups and the general population in the field of addictions
* the organization of events of special and general interest (eg workshops)
* the development of a reference, information and specialized learning website.
The impact from the strengthening, use and promotion of the scientific library of KETHEA PILOTOS will benefit the community as a whole, as it will contribute to:
• raising awareness, scientific dialogue and continuing education of professionals, scientists and students on addiction issues
• informing / raising awareness of the general population on the prevention and treatment of addictive behaviors and the removal of prejudices and stigma of addicts
• creating a vibrant core of education, entertainment, social participation and volunteering with groups, actions, interventions for the benefit of society as a whole
Volos
National Documentation Center (for permission to access Open Avekt and for the inclusion of the library in an official network of special scientific libraries)
University of Thessaly to support the initiative and its use in the education of undergraduate and postgraduate students
Municipality of Volos and other municipalities of Magnesia and Thessaly - for the inclusion of the library in the network of libraries of Volos and other areas
Directorate of Secondary Education of Magnesia and Regional Directorate of Education of Thessaly for the utilization of the library by the network of teachers of Thessaly, in the context of the initial and continuing education of teachers by KETHEA PILOTOS.
The benefits for KETHEA itself are related to the strengthening of the networking of the therapeutic program with institutions and organizations, with the aim of the exchange of know-how, the cooperation, the strengthening of the social participation and cohesion. In 2018, 7,500 people-teachers, schoolchildren, students, professional groups and the general population from all over Thessaly were informed / trained on issues of prevention / timely intervention in addictive behaviors, while many students implemented undergraduate and undergraduate theses using library books.
It should be noted that the secured space of the library for 30 years in the present building, as well as the existence of the permanent staff, but also the wider human network of KETHEA PILOTOS (Association of Friends, volunteers) are the main guarantees for the viability of the scientific library. The passion and professionalism of the staff, the good management of KETHEA and the networking of the library will be able to ensure its harmonious operation, in the logic of creating a living cell of knowledge and sociability, in the wider area.
