Report on the Drug Situation 2010 - Bundesministerium für ...

74% of all convictions resulted in prison sentences (2008: 71%; 2007: 67%), with a
share of prison sentences suspended on probation of 42% (2008: 45%; 2007: 47%),
which is another slight downwards trend compared to the year before. The share of
young people sentenced to imprisonment was 3.7% (2008: 3.1%); and for 2.4% (2008:
2.1%) the prison sentence was suspended on probation. In both cases a slight rise
compared to previous years is found.
For further details on conviction statistics in Austria please consult Chapter 11 of the
2008 report (GÖG/ÖBIG 2008c). A comparison of the development of reported
offences, convictions and implementation of alternatives to punishment as provided by
law is included in Chapter 9.3 of the present report.
As yet, neither data nor surveys on offences committed in connection with drug
acquisition and related offences are available.
9.2 Prevention of drug-related crime
In addition to a number of individual initiatives in the context of prevention at the level
of provinces and by centres providing services for drug users, interventions for raising
the general feeling of security and ease in the public sphere are gaining in importance.
Because in the beginning of June 2010 rebuilding works started at Karlsplatz underground
passage, the services formerly provided there had to be restructured (Suchtund
Drogenkoordination Wien 2010; see also Chapter 8.2). At the contact office for
standby services at Karlsplatz square, advice and information are provided, and in
future the street social workers of the contact office will provide outreach social work
all over Vienna wherever demanded (see Chapters 7.2 and 8.2; Grotte 2010).
The services provided by HELP U (at Karlsplatz square) and SAM (three teams) will be
continued (see GÖG/ÖBIG 2008c, 2009b). HELP U has been contacted considerably less
often and the interventions required have gone down significantly, from 74 792
contacts in 2008 to 51 615 in 2009, which is a decline by 31%, and interventions went
down by 23% compared to 2008. This decrease in contacts and interventions may be
seen as an indication of the success of this initiative (Schindler, personal
communication). The majority of people who contacted HELP U were socially
marginalised people (especially drug patients; VWS 2010g).
While HELP U services are limited to Karlsplatz square, SAM provides mobile social
work in problem areas of the public space all over Vienna (see GÖG/ÖBIG 2008c). Here
a strong increase in contacts to SAM 2 (Praterstern, 2nd district) und SAM 9 (Julius-
Tandler-Platz and Spittelauer Platz squares, 9th district) shows from 2008 to 2009.
Again, socially marginalised people predominate, accounting for 66% of contacts to
SAM 2 and 47% of contacts to SAM 9. SAM flex currently provides mobile services in
various parts of Vienna, depending on demand, e.g., around Wien Mitte station,
Chapter 9 / Drug-related Crime, Prevention of Drug-related Crime, and Prison 83