Local Matters this week is about drug addiction. Nadine Berndt came to our studio from the Ministry of Health explaining us the newest statistics on drug abuse in Luxembourg, recent trends and challenges in prevention and fighting drug addictions. We’ve been to Abrigado, a safe space for users of cocaine and heroine in Luxembourg-city. And for today’s Local Matters, I went to Manternach in the east of the country, Luxembourg’s only therapy centre exclusively for drug addicts. They’ve recently presented their child-parent program where parents of young children receive addiction therapy together with their children. George Majerus gave me a tour of the premises and explained me the concept. The therapeutic centre Manternach is outside of the village, in the woods. The building complex that once was a paper factory today is surrounded by a vast garden. A few men hang out on the terrace, smoke a cigarette, enjoy the sun or have a walk.

The terrain includes a small stream with swans and clear water, stables, a few chickens, goats and donkeys, a garden where the patients cultivate vegetables. They don’t only learn to get over their drug addictions but also how to cope with live in general, how to cook a healthy meal. In the back of the main building, there is a carpentry where the patients can learn new skills and get used to normal working day. To get out of bed in the morning, to stay focused for a few hours, to work in a team. A woman with a pram crosses our way, having a walk on the premises. The therapeutic centre Manternach is the first in Luxembourg to offer therapy for drug addict parents together with their children.

Story from our Local Matters Archive.