Finnish charity expands street-level drug work to prevent overdose deaths in Uusimaa

The Diakonissalaitos charity is scaling up its outreach efforts to combat youth drug overdoses in Finland’s Uusimaa region, where overdose deaths remain among the highest in Europe, reports public broadcaster Yle.

From April, four outreach workers will begin street-level substance abuse support in Espoo, joining existing low-threshold services in Helsinki and Vantaa. The initiative aims to halve the national rate of youth overdose fatalities through early intervention and harm reduction.

Workers like psychiatric nurse Vera Korpisalo—who previously provided drug support at shopping centres such as Tripla—will engage young users in public spaces, offering food aid, first aid, and referrals to social and healthcare services. “Young people need a safe adult nearby,” Korpisalo said, noting that trust is built quickly when assistance is practical and non-judgmental.

The programme, developed in collaboration with Espoo’s youth services, social workers, and educational institutions, targets those who might otherwise avoid traditional support systems. While coordination with police exists, Diakonissalaitos stresses its role is not enforcement but ensuring access to care as a fundamental right.

Robert Koski, coordinator of youth substance abuse services with over a decade of experience, described a troubling shift: drug use has grown more extreme and increasingly linked to criminal activity. A study on the outreach model’s effectiveness is expected next year.

Diakonissalaitos also operates related services, including mental health and disability support through its subsidiary Rinnekodit Oy, and a community space for immigrants in Espoo’s Vamos centre.