and staff receive training (for example, in
France 159). Particular attention is often given
to adolescents. For example, unaccompanied
children in Sweden receive training regarding
alcohol, narcotics, drugs and tobacco. 160 The
NGO Condrobs in Bavaria (Germany) provides
assistance and counselling to unaccompanied
children and adolescent refugees. 161 The drug
emergency
service
in
Berlin
(Drogennotdienst) offers information and
counselling
to
refugees
in
various
languages. 162
migrants and refugees noted that young
adults from North Africa, in particular Egypt,
or from Eastern Europe have drug-related
problems. 144 In the Netherlands, individuals of
Eritrean origin were observed to be especially
prone to alcohol use. 145
Health checks
For its data collection, FRA asked whether
initial or subsequent health checks include
specific screening for drug dependence. In the
overwhelming majority of Member States,
this is not the case. 146 However, drug
dependence is one of the issues asked about
at the initial health check in Finland 147 and in
subsequent health interviews in Sweden,
where the initial medical screenings focus
only on detecting diseases. 148 The new
screening procedure in reception facilities to
be initiated in Denmark by the Danish Red
Cross in June 2017 will also include questions
on drug use. 149
Drug dependence and the general use of licit
and illicit substances affects everyday life in
accommodation facilities and often fosters
conflict – as was noted, for example, in
Germany. 163 Where possible, affected persons
are oriented to care centres 164 or special
asylum accommodation in cases where drug
use results in behavioural changes.165 Drug
dependence issues in the Netherlands are
addressed on an individual level within the
regular addiction care framework, which
includes specialised rehabilitation clinics,
ambulant care, and general practitioner
care. 166
As illustrated by responses received from
Bulgaria and Slovakia, where no specific
screening occurs, the testing of drug use may
be performed if a person is suspected of
taking drugs or if a person him-/herself
confirms drug use. 150 If drug dependence is
detected, the migration office in Slovakia is
required to ensure that the psychiatric
‘ambulance’ or psychiatric hospital provides
appropriate medical treatment.151 Drug
dependence may also be detected when,
during health checks, doctors ask applicants
what regular medicine they take, as was
noted with respect to Hungary. 152
Types of substances
In Austria, alcohol is the predominant
substance that is misused. 153 Alcohol is also
often used in Germany. 154 Concerning illicit
drugs, although no reliable information
emerged, stakeholders point to cannabis
consumption (not necessarily dependence), 155
and psychotropic drugs such as heroin. 156 In
Denmark, cocaine was also mentioned.157
Selected measures taken
In a number of EU Member States, drug users
are being informed about the dangers of drug
dependence – as, for example, in Greece 158 –
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