On Thursday 4 March 2021, Paulette Lenert, Luxembourg's Minister of Health, Lydie Polfer, Mayor of the Ville de Luxembourg, and Maurice Bauer, alderman responsible for social affairs, conducted fruitful discussions within the framework of a working meeting during which various medico-social themes which affect the city of Luxembourg, and more particularly the Gare and Bonnevoie districts, were discussed.

At the end of this exchange, also attended by Anne Heniqui, Social Health Coordinator at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Alain Origer, National Drugs Coordinator at the Ministry of Health, and Christof Mann, Social Affairs Department of the Ville de Luxembourg, the two partners agreed that it is opportune to reflect on a potential relocation of the Abrigado reception centre for drug addicts and to set up a new structure intended exclusively for women drug addicts: particularly vulnerable, these require a structure reserved for them in order to guarantee them appropriate medical and socio-educational care, as well as accommodation in a low-threshold single-sex space.

Mayor Lydie Polfer explained “For many years, the Ville de Luxembourg has been working hand in hand with the state authorities and numerous promoters of active projects in the social field in order to improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable. In recent years, new structures have been able to open their doors while existing structures have been adapted in order to better meet the needs of beneficiaries. We are fortunate to be able to count on an exceptional collaboration between all the actors involved in order to aspire to a lasting improvement in the situation of marginalised people."

Thus, the opening hours of the Abrigado centre, as well as those for the distribution and exchange of syringes that are offered in different structures, have been greatly extended in order to adapt services to the needs of beneficiaries.

The Ville de Luxembourg also announced its intention to strengthen its commitment to the “Housing First” programme. While the first infrastructure in the city has been housing homeless people for five years with a view to their reintegration and social stabilisation, the city services are currently looking for other premises to make available to the project leader.

Minister Lenert underlined "The efforts invested in recent years at the national level in terms of support and supervision structures for people living in precariousness, and in particular drug addicts, are significant and will be developed more within the framework of the national plan for drugs and associated addictions. At regional and local level, active participation of the municipalities involved is crucial in order to achieve concerted and lasting solutions."