The Yizhar Program is a national, inter-ministerial program to minimize the harms caused by drugs.
Program partners: the Ministry of Health – Department of Tuberculosis and AIDS, the Ministry of National Security – the Authority for the Fight against Violence, Drugs and Alcohol, and the Public Health Association (the operator).
The program provides unique services using the ‘harm reduction’ approach to populations affected by drug use (with an emphasis on injecting drug users) and those involved in prostitution. It primarily targets individuals who, for various reasons, are not integrated into treatment and rehabilitation programs.
The program primarily aims to restore and preserve human dignity among the target population – those who have reached the end of the scale of risk and neglect – and, in line with the ability and desire of each applicant, to offer a range of services tailored to the individual’s condition, in order to minimize health and psychosocial harms resulting from drug use and/or involvement in prostitution—both for the individual and the people around them.
Yizhar Centers are a safe and respectful space, where individuals first encounter warm and empathetic human interaction from the staff and volunteers, who accept them as they are, anonymously, without judgment, and without coercion.
Services and solutions provided through the program
- One-on-one conversations with professionals and volunteers, in centers and on the streets.
- First aid (mental and physical).
- Distribution of sterile injection equipment, disinfectants, and contraceptives. In addition, the centers collect and safely dispose of used injection equipment.
- Training on ways to minimize the harm caused by illegal activities, prostitution, and living on the streets: avoiding infection and the spread of infections and viruses (HIV, HCV), avoiding overdoses, and other personal and environmental risk situations.
- Assistance in claiming rights.
- At the centers: distribution of food, clothing, personal hygiene products, and access to showers.
- For those interested, we offer guidance and referrals for continued care, including housing solutions, medical treatment and examinations, assistance with authorities, referrals to rehab programs, and more.
All services are provided free of charge, with no obligation to continue, and with full respect for the anonymity of the individuals.
