Shelter for drug-addicted women
A shelter for homeless drug-addicted women prostitutes where they could rest
Initiator(s)
WochenKlausur
Description
WochenKlausur set up a shelter, a facility for women where homeless drug-addicted prostitutes could rest during the day. At the time of the project, election campaigns were underway in Switzerland and relief organizations assisting drug abusers were being attacked by the right-wing parties for being counterproductive to narcotics enforcement. The City reacted with a reduction of social services, particularly for women who prostitute themselves to support their habit. They used an unusual strategy to obtain support for this intervention. Every day, four different experts in the field of drug issues were sent out on Lake Zurich in a boat, where they were able to discuss their views and exchange information without any public exposure. After two weeks a total of almost sixty experts had participated: all of the secretaries of the Swiss political parties, the mayor and four Zurich city councillors, two prosecuting attorneys, the editors in chief of the biggest Swiss newspapers, police chiefs, and specialists from the fields of medicine, prevention and therapy. The plan was discussed with all participants before and after their trip out on the lake. Thus it was possible to secure political and media support for the project. Simultaneously, a suitable house was rented and furnished using the first sponsors’ donations.
Goals
They were invited to conduct a project involving drug issues that would underline the institution’s new philosophy, namely that art should no longer be encapsulated from political reality.
Beneficial outcomes
The results of the discussions were small improvements on particular issues, such as the controlled distribution of narcotics to AIDS sufferers or the representation of users in court by social workers. For six years, the facility provided a place to sleep for women who needed to get some rest during the day. It was possible to operate the thirty-bed shelter ZORA for six years, until the City of Zurich cut its funding in the year 2000.
Location
Switzerland
Users
WochenKlausur, Drug-addicted women, politicians, citizens, journalists, police chiefs and medicine specialist.
Maintained by
Shedhalle, Zurich, Zwitserland, The City, the Canton and the Federal Health Department covered two thirds of the costs, with the rest coming from private supporters
Duration
1994 - 2000
Category
Scientific
Pedagogical
Politics
Urban Development
Economy
Environment
Social
