This project is aimed at drug use and migration in Europe. Although many migrant groups in Europe have lower rates of substance use than the populations in the countries where they live, several risk factors make them more vulnerable to engage in problematic drug use. These risk factors include traumatic experiences, disengagement with society, unemployment and poverty. Services and municipalities throughout the European Union are faced with the challenge to address these migrants’ needs. A thorough understanding of the needs of vulnerable migrants who use drugs (MWUD) could improve local responses throughout Europe.

The general objective of the project SEMID-EU is to reduce the harms of vulnerable migrants who use drugs by: 1) improving knowledge and understanding among policymakers and practitioners; and 2) strengthening capacities of healthcare and support services working with these groups.

The project is organized around four work packages that are logically linked and build upon each other: 1) Assessment of the situation; 2) Obtaining an integrated understanding of local needs and responses; 3) Development of policy recommendations, toolkits and practical guidelines; 4) Implementation of the toolkit and guidelines in practice. 

The project will be implemented by the coordinating partner organisation Mainline (The Netherlands), in close cooperation with other centres of expertise in the field, from across the EU. The involvement of a broad variety of stakeholders – from local care providers to global actors – will safeguard the quality of the project design, implementation, evaluation and dissemination. Ghent University is responsible for work package 2 and will facilitate a thorough understanding of the needs of migrants who use drugs in 4 metropolitan cities in the EU (Amsterdam, Athens, Berlin and Paris) and the responses provided.