Swedish Immigrants Against Drugs – SIMON
SIMON was founded in January 1990 by immigrants and Swedes working on immigrant issues.
Their work brought about an awareness on the fact that drug problems are also found among immigrants; a fact that left the Swedish authorities at a loss, for one thing because of their lack of cultural and linguistic skills.
SIMONwas formed to bridge the gap between immigrants and the Swedish society, and to be a resource for Swedes as well as immigrants.
SIMONis a multicultural organization based on the principles of the equal value of all human beings and democracy. The Association has no ties to any religious or political groups.
SIMONtakes a restrictive stand on the issues of narcotics and alcohol, and thinks that liberalization will only lead to more drugs and social maladjustment. Drugs are a threat to democracy and to a sound environment for our children and youth to grow up in.
The Policy of SIMON
SIMONstands for restrictive drugs policy and opposes all non-medical use of narcotics and does not approve of the classification of ”heavy” or ”light” narcotics.
Research and experience have given us additional knowledge about the deleterious effects of drugs and in no way can they justify acceptance and still less legalization of narcotics. If anything they legitimize an intensification of preventive work against addiction of alcohol, medicine and narcotics as well as increased efforts to help and support the addicts and their families.
SIMONcontributes to a positive view of the immigrants in Sweden.
This is because SIMON was founded by immigrants and Swedes with the purpose of co-operating with the Swedish authorities in order to find solutions to a problem that effect both Swedes and immigrants.
The existence of SIMON is in itself an argument against segregation, racism and hostility towards foreigners, because it shows that people from different ethnic and religious groups can pursue common goals without encountering insuperable difficulties.
SIMON, The Committee of the National Association and all its Local Branches participate actively in manifestations against racism and hostility towards foreigners, and co-operate with other antiracist organizations.
The work of SIMON is based on the principle of the equal value of all human beings.
SIMONbelieves that voluntary care gives better results, but that there are situations, witch call for coercive treatment for a limited period in order to save life.
In the treatment one should consider individual needs and varying cultural and social backgrounds. The rules should be flexible and adjusted to the needs of the individual patient/client.
SIMONshall work for maintenance of modes of treatment according to this goal and supports manifold modes of treatment. The organization shall, to the extent of resources available, launch projects for support and advice, witch may act as links between drug addicts, their families and local authorities/county councils.
SIMONcan, to facilitate the work of institutions for rehabilitation, give consultance and advice on the social and cultural aspect of the abuse. This may positively affect the outcome of the treatment.
SIMONshall, on the national level, make an inventory of all modes of treatment that are suitable for immigrants with drug problems.
SIMONshall initiate projects of different kinds to reach immigrant families with information and instruction about the parental role in general and the specific demands made on it when there are drug problems in the family.
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simon@simon.org.se |
