A total of 70 minors were referred in the last three years, 2023-2025, to treatment centers for detoxification from addictive substances, while for 2025, nine minors are being hosted at the Inpatient Center in Latsia, with five expected to complete the program before the end of the summer.
According to data obtained by CNA from the Monitoring and Research Department of the Cyprus Addiction Treatment Authority (CATA), in 2023, 112 adults between 18 and 24 years of age and 26 minors up to 18 years of age were referred to treatment centers, while in 2024, 92 adults and 29 minors were referred.
Moreover, from the beginning of 2025 to date, 19 adults have been referred, as well as 15 minors.
According to the data, 16 adults completed the detoxification program in 2023 and 2024.
Specifically, of the 26 minors referred in 2023, 11 have completed the program, while in 2024, out of the 29 minors, only five completed the program.
It is noted that data for 2025 has not yet been recorded.
The indicator of treatment requests, which are made directly by the family or by the State, namely by the Welfare Office, the Police or the Court, is also indicative.
150 treatment requests for minors in the years 2021, 2022, 2023
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Treatment requests for minors under 18 years of age for 2021 amounted to 40, for 2022 to 62, while for 2023 to 48.
It is noted that referrals to Centers for detoxification from addictive substances concern open therapeutic programs, which mostly accommodate adults, but also the Inpatient Center, which exclusively accommodates minor users up to 18 years of age, students or children out of school.
The open therapeutic programs available in Cyprus are "Perseus" in Nicosia, "Prometheus" in Limassol, "I Decide Eighteen Under" External Addiction Treatment Facility for minors with substance use and/or alcohol abuse problems in Larnaca, "Tolmi" in Paphos, and "Achilleas" in Famagusta.
The Inpatient Center for Underage Users, which began operating in 2019, is managed by "Agia Skepi" and is located in Latsia, Nicosia.
Increase in referrals in the last two years
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CNA contacted the Director of the "Agia Skepi" Therapeutic Community and scientific coordinator of the program at the Inpatient Center, Tina Pavlou, who stated that in recent years there has been an increase in referrals of minors, however, she estimates that the increase is related to the fact that most people are slowly becoming aware of the program, since it has only been in operation for five years.
As he said, a high number of referrals of minors has been recorded in the last two years by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) of the Police, while a steady flow is recorded in referrals coming from the Welfare Office or from the families of the users themselves.
Ms. Pavlou told CNA that an increase is also being recorded in referrals from the Court, noting that of the 9 teenagers currently being hosted at the Inpatient Center, 3 are under court orders for treatment.
Responding to a relevant question, Ms. Pavlou said that there is an amended law from 2021, which came into force on the occasion of the creation of the program and allows the Courts to refer minors to a Addiction Treatment Center.
He noted that before 2019 the law was inactive, since there was no place to send these children.
Stability of program retention and completion over the last 2 years
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According to Tina Pavlou, for 2025 there are 9 minors at the Inpatient Center and more specifically, six of them are in the closed program, while the remaining four are in reintegration, noting that the duration of the program ranges from 6 to 9 months, while sometimes it varies, based on the needs of the individuals.
Asked if there are any program interruptions, she said that there are a large number of people who have discontinued the program since the day it started, however, she added that in the last two years "there have been far fewer interruptions, but also relapses" and "there is a stability of staying and completing the program."
"This always happens," he said, "with a new program until people accept it as a treatment model, because it is a closed program away from families and outside the school context."
When asked if children who interrupt the program return and what the process is, Ms. Pavlou said that children who interrupt return at some point, with the process being carried out quickly, especially for minors.
"When they stop at any time they wish, they can rejoin the program. There are children who relapse into use, but at some point they return for treatment," he explained.
Inpatient Center – 5 years later
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Asking Ms. Pavlou to give a current picture of the Center and its operation, she stated that the majority is learning at home, with teachers sent by the Ministry of Education.
He mentioned that there were people who, during their stay, attended night school, which they completed and received a high school diploma, while others entered the apprenticeship system.
He stressed that they do not want to leave any child outside the educational framework, noting that for five years they have been taking in minors who are out of school.
Regarding further the program followed at the Inpatient Center, he said that the children attend classes and then engage in an entertainment program which, among other things, includes music, art lessons, as well as sports activities.
Furthermore, he said that on weekends they have enough free time to do other activities, such as bowling, go karts, the cinema, a restaurant or a cafe.
He also mentioned that during the program, group, individual and family psychotherapy takes place, while after 3 to 4 months of treatment and homeschooling, the children can go back to school.
He stated that addiction recovery "cannot succeed if the system does not cooperate," noting that "Agia Skepi" would not have had any effect on its own, without the very close cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Police, the Social Welfare Services and the Ministry of Education.
Finally, he called on families to seek help in a timely manner, while emphasizing the need for support for families from services, so that they can cope with their difficult role.
Source: KYPE
