In this reality, an easy answer is to be stricter. The difficult—but scientifically proven—answer is prevention, timely intervention, and holistic support. This is precisely where the work of Connect Thessaloniki by the non-profit organization IASIS comes in.

Youth delinquency: Not an individual trait, but the result of pressure

According to AMKE IASIS, youth delinquency is not an individual pathology, but a symptom. A symptom of pressure at home, weakening of the school system, trauma, lack of stable boundaries and, often, exposure to highly stimulating and poorly supervised digital environments.

Actual service data show that:

• boys are more likely to exhibit consistent delinquent behavior,
• girls are represented in large numbers in “at-risk” groups, with high psychosocial vulnerability, a history of abuse, self-harm, or dangerous behaviors,
• family and school often act not as protective factors but as factors of vulnerability.

Connect Thessaloniki, a Day Center approved by the Ministry of Health, operates precisely at this critical point: before delinquency becomes established as an identity.

His philosophy is clear:

• delinquent behavior is treated as a warning sign, not a reason for stigmatization;
• the child is not isolated, but integrated into a structured framework of relationships;
• intervention involves not only the young person, but also their family, school, and community.

The data are specific and measurable:

• 925 prevention and intervention actions,
• 7,391 therapeutic interventions,
• 10,379 youth participants,
• 48 referrals from the Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office,
• 128 families receiving systematic support,
• 12 interventions in schools.

These numbers do not simply indicate popularity. They indicate the volume of demand.

The role of digital life and loneliness…

One of the most critical points of today’s reality, Mr. Alessizos emphasizes, is that digital life does not in itself cause delinquency. It does not breed it. However, when combined with loneliness, conflict, and lack of guidance, it acts as an accelerator.

Connect Thessaloniki utilizes a modern combination:

• Street outreach, with professionals physically present where young people are located,
• and digital mentoring, which allows for early detection of risks and maintenance of relationships even when face-to-face contact is difficult.

Not as a technological fad, but as a response to a world that has changed.

Prevention starts at home, at school, in the neighborhood

The National Strategy 2025–2030 confirms something crucial: the police are the last resort, not the first response.

Real prevention is built on:

• at school,
• in the neighborhood,
• in the family,
• in structures such as Connect Thessaloniki.

Not punishment, but relationships based on trust

The delinquency of young people—boys and girls—is not reduced by “more” and “stricter” punishment, but by more work in the field, stability, boundaries, and relationships of trust.

And this is not theory. It is scientifically proven practice.

All services and programs at the Connect Thessaloniki Day Center are provided free of charge.