On May 6 of this year, the advisory telephone number 67037333 will start working for residents who need support in solving addiction problems, the Disease Prevention and Control Center (SPKC) reports.
“The use of addictive substances is a widespread problem in Latvia. In 2023, almost a third of the population in the age group from 18 to 74 used a tobacco and/or nicotine-containing product on a daily basis, while according to the registered absolute alcohol consumption per one 15-year-old or older population,” SPKC comments on the situation.
The center notes that Latvia ranks first among the countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. A growing trend can also be observed with regard to trying drugs.
The purpose of the phone is to provide anonymous psychological help, to motivate and support residents
in changing their own habits or that of fellow human beings, as well as providing information about available resources and services in the treatment of addiction. Residents will be counseled on quitting smoking, solving alcohol and drug abuse problems, gambling and co-dependency issues.
The service will be available on working days, between 09:00 and 18:00. The fee for the call will be applied according to the cost of the tariff plan of the operator used by the caller, when making calls to SIA “Latvijas Mobilais Telefons” network phone number.
The provision of the service is launched in the framework of the implementation of the “On prevention measures and health care service improvement plan in the field of reducing the prevalence of alcohol and narcotic substance use for 2023-2025” developed by the Ministry of Health.
The service will be provided by Vivendi Health Center SIA until May 4, 2025, by order of the Center for Disease Prevention and Control.
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