As of 27 September, the Helsinki Detoxification Centre will operate at the Pasila Police Station, at Pasilankatu 18.
The main partners of the Detoxification Centre are emergency prehospital emergency care, emergency clinics, social services and the police.
We cooperate with the police all the time. When police operations at the old address in Töölö end, the operations of the Detoxification Centre will also end and move to the Pasila police house,” says Jalmiina Nummelin, Chief Nursing Officer of Substance Abuse Services in Helsinki.
“The new premises have been specially renovated for the Detoxification Centre operations and they are modern and functional,” says Nummelin, clearly pleased.
Detoxification services are intended for people aged 16 and over in Helsinki. Patients are cared for until the patient sobers up or until the patient has sobered up to a point where they can once again take care of themselves.
After monitoring, patients leave the Detoxification Centre to go home or to further treatment if required by their condition. Patients can be referred to substance abuse services or hospital emergency services.
The Detoxification Centre is a support service for the police, prehospital emergency care and the operations of emergency clinics. The referring unit reserves a place for the patient in advance by phone, and the patient is escorted to the service. It is not possible to independently seek help at the Detoxification Centre.
Treatment at the Detoxification Centre is always voluntary. Clients will not be admitted against their will. Similarly, people who are aggressive or threatening and people who are severely agitated when under the influence of stimulants will not be admitted.
In addition to supervisors, ten nursing professionals work at the Helsinki Detoxification Centre. The annual number of client visits is approximately 3,000. In 2020, marked by COVID-19, the number of visits was approximately 2,300. In addition, some clients stay in police custody.
Photo: Virpi Velin