The project focused on problems of social integration among young immigrants from the former Soviet Union. Among some of the that time recently arrived youth, these problems manifested themselves as increased crime and drug abuse. A number of young people were deported or imprisoned. Due to the rapid increase in immigration during the 1990s, public service provision failed to keep up, resulting in multiple problems in the new communities.

Quantitative goals
No quantitative goals or indicators were set though the work was expected to result in lower levels of drug use, incarcerations and deportations and reducing the number of children going to foster care or not finishing compulsory education.

Qualitative goals
1.    A reduction in substance abuse related problems and social exclusion among Russian and Estonian speaking youth.
2.    Improved substance abuse prevention practices through increased cultural sensitivity.
3.    Improved practices in substance abuse treatment referral and treatment coordination.

The project involved the creation or expansion of the following services and their provision in Russian and Estonian in addition to Finnish: psychosocial support services, such as telephone helplines, individual counseling, support person networks and parents’ support groups. Substance abuse treatment referral. Guidance in the use of social services and educational and vocational matters. Networking among immigrant groups and public authorities. Free-time activities, such as clubs, youth camps and courses.

• A reduction in drug use in the target population
• A reduction in drug positive views
• The creation of new well functioning services
• The creation of a multicultural work orientation
• An increase in social capital and mutual trust
  
  The target group had a very positive view of the project.
  Native language services were thought to function well.

Internal evaluation. Self-evaluation by employees and the project steering group. Statistics of service use.

Success: The meeting of the overall goals of the project.

Recommendations:

• Involve the target group and make use of the tacit knowledge and skills thus available
• Address the issue at all levels (ie. in the case of drug abuse from primary prevention to treatment)
• Adopt practices from the immigrant group’s country of origin and fuse them with those of the new home country
• Take into account the differences in work orientation in the health care and social sectors
• Network broadly among all the different stakeholders

Russian and Estonian speaking communities in Helsinki. About 17 000 people.

Expected coverage of the programme in terms of number of persons reached.

In the target groups practically everyone was aware of the project and hundreds of people were involved.

The project was funded by the City of Helsinki and the Ministry of Justice.

1/2/1999-31/12/2000
The City of Helsinki Social Services Department 20 000 € 
The Ministry of Justice National Council for Crime Prevention 20 000 €
City of Helsinki public-funded employment funds 13 000 €
Total 53 000 €

1/1/2001 -31/12/2003
The City of Helsinki Social Services Department 918 000 € (approximately 300 000 € per annum)
City of Helsinki public-funded employment funds 30 000 €
Total 948 000 €

1/2/1999-31/12/2000
Two social and health care professionals

1/1/2001 -31/12/2003
Five to seven social and health care professionals