A roundup of 132 drug users by the government has upset critics, including coalition partner Democratic Left (DIMAR) and opposition party Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) which said a “pogrom” was being conducted and said their transfer to a detention center for illegal immigrants was an attack on the “fundamental rights of the weakest members of society,” the newspaper Kathimerini reported.
The critics did not say what they would do to help the drug addicts other than letting them continue to use drugs but have previously said more money should be given to help the users.
There have been many complaints that drug addicts are taking over parts of downtown Athens, shooting up publicly in gangs even next to the University of Athens by a Metro stop, in Omonia Square and the area, even in broad daylight, frightening residents and tourists.
Addicts have also frequented the area about the National Archaeological Museum, walking around in packs, using drugs, drinking and urinating in public, only yards from a nearby police substation.
The Public Order Ministry said that the drug addicts would be able to receive better medical treatment at the facility, also prompting the ire of hospital doctors. With cutbacks in government programs during a crushing economic crisis there are fewer places to which drug addicts can turn for help, but they’ve also been blamed for crime in the areas where they use drugs with reports some have even used their syringes as weapons to rob passers-by.
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