CAIRO - 18 May 2026: Continuing its efforts to provide addiction treatment services according to international standards, the Ministry of Social Solidarity has dedicated a hotline number for reporting cases of individuals found on the streets exhibiting signs of drug use.
The hotline number is 16439. This initiative reflects the state's commitment to providing comprehensive care for homeless individuals.
Upon receiving a call to the Ministry of Social Solidarity's hotline, a multidisciplinary team will immediately be dispatched to the location.
This team includes the Ministry of Social Solidarity's Rapid Intervention Team, the Fund for Combating and Treating Addiction, and the Egyptian Red Crescent. Their role is to locate, pick up, and transport the individual to one of the Ministry of Social Solidarity's facilities, providing first aid and emergency support.
Comprehensive medical examinations will be conducted, including drug testing and screening for co-existing diseases, particularly hepatitis viruses and HIV. Primary care will also be provided, including clothing, personal hygiene, and psychological support.
If a homeless person does not possess a national identity card, the Ministry of Interior will take the necessary steps to obtain the required documents in accordance with applicable legal frameworks.
A hotline number is available for providing treatment services to homeless individuals suffering from addiction.
Upon confirmation of drug use, the Fund for Combating and Treating Addiction and Substance Abuse will provide all treatment services free of charge and in accordance with international standards through its affiliated centers and partner organizations, in cooperation with the General Secretariat for Mental Health.
The individual will be referred for treatment and will begin medical, psychological, and behavioral rehabilitation programs.
An exit plan will be prepared for the individual in coordination with the Ministry of Social Solidarity to ensure they do not return to the streets and to reduce risk factors for relapse. This initiative will begin in the Greater Cairo governorates and will then gradually expand to other governorates.
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