Founded in 1978, DESAFIO JOVEM (Teen Challenge) Portugal is a nonprofit institution, (IPSS) recognized definitively under decree law 14/90 as an Institution with Health Purposes and accordingly licensed by the Ministry of Health and by SICAD – Intervention Services in Substance Addiction and Dependency. Its officially recognized by several Ministries that constitute the Government, and aims at the prevention, rehabilitation and social insertion of people with addiction and addictive behaviors.
DESAFIO JOVEM has a set of integrated responses, covering as a whole the issue of dependencies from direct intervention in street until the completion of the process of insertion in to society in therapeutic apartments. Since its creation, it has welcomed more than 5.000 people. In the last 5 years, an average of 110 people in rehabilitation and 52 inserted back in to society have been accompanied annually.