Greek Focus Group Blog

The aim of the present study was to explore educational and vocational history of adult ex-drug addicts on completion of an indoor rehabilitation programme which was set up in Attica by the Therapeutic Centre for Dependent Individuals (KETHEA). The role of the vocational training programmes was also questioned.

34 subjects in the follow-up period of the rehabilitation programme were interviewed through a semi-structured questionnaire. The questionnaire collected information on their demographic characteristics, their educational and vocational history, their participation in vocational training programmes and their future considerations and prospects related to these. The vast majority of the sample was made ranging from 25 to 54 years of age, having completed secondary education, however with a low academic performance and low job skills. A number of the results were very promising regarding the subjects' vocational integration and educational development since the vast majority of the sample was found to hold down a stable undergoing job, in contrast to their status before the rehabilitation programme (70% jobless). However, the subjects' job status reflected their working history before participating in the therapeutic programme as well as their family's working history. A small percentage went on to further their education while the rest of them showed the same tendency in their future plans. Almost half of the sample participated in a vocational training programme, primarily of a technical nature. Most of those who underwent training programme, selected jobs which were in keeping with the skills acquired.

Research findings are also discussed in the context of the weaknesses in vocational training programmes and the difficulties in the training programme being incorporated in the frame of the therapeutic procedure.

Finally, measures with respect to the implementation of the vocational training programme, the acquisition of job skills are proposed with a view to combating their exclusion from the labour market.