RdR-Maroc
The National Association for Drug Harm Reduction of Morocco (RdR-Maroc) provides support for drug users through global care for their health and by defending their rights.
Founded in 2008, the National Association for Drug Harm Reduction of Morocco (RdR-Maroc) works with several thousand drug users (DU) – injectors and smokers – through eight sections and three spheres of action: harm reduction, help towards rebuilding a life plan and defending their rights.
In support of the national strategy, its teams scour squats in the largest cities in Morocco to seek out DU and run prevention campaigns in schools and penitentiaries. RdR-Maroc holds self-help groups at its own premises with the aim of fostering mutual assistance between recipients. Through group therapy sessions and the mobilisation of lawyers, social workers and family mediators, the association also helps DU to become reintegrated into society.
Finally, the organisation empowers its beneficiaries to claim and access their rights. The non-profit supports them through the process of finding employment and organises administration clinics in order to help them obtain their documents more easily (especially a national identity card). Thanks to advocacy work, they are also encouraged to contribute to strategic plans and to national bodies tackling HIV.
Key Figures
RdR-Maroc
sections in Morocco
screening campaigns run in 2020
syringes distributed in 2020
Close up
Reducing harm amongst drug users
Implemented in Tetuan, Al Hoceima, Nador, Oujda, Fez and Rabat, one of the flagship programmes of RdR-Maroc has contributed to preventing the risks of transmission of HIV and HCV (Hepatitis C Virus) amongst injection drug users (IDU) and to improving their social and health conditions. The programme targets active IDU and/or those receiving treatment and more indirectly their families, neighbourhoods and communities. The support offered is comprehensive, from prevention right through to coming off the drugs and social rehabilitation via therapeutic care and provision of psychosocial support. In order to reach as many people as possible the project includes both stationary and mobile activities. This involves raising awareness among IDU about harm reduction in those places where drugs are used, distributing and recovering injection kits, facilitating access to methadone treatment or in some cases guiding beneficiaries towards a social worker. Inside RdR-Maroc branches fun and recreational activities are on offer (theatre, music, dance, IT) together with the opportunity to participate in personal development workshops and self-help groups. All of those received are offered counselling as well as social and legal assistance. All of the programme’s activities are run by means of close coordination between the medical branches of addiction studies centres and a range of non-profit organisations from civil society.