[The first 10 years of operation of the Red Cross House for runaway, throwaway and homeless adolescents in Reykjavík, Iceland.].

OBJECTIVE

The Red Cross House (RCH) is a 24-hour emergency shelter in Reykjavik, Iceland for adolescents. On the occasion of its 10th anniversary it was decided to analyse the data collected since inauguration.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

During the first 10 years of running 475 adolescents, age 10-18, (grouped into runaways, throwaways and homeless adolescents) registered 927 visits. The admission records of the RCH were used for collecting data for subsequent analysis.

RESULTS

The runaways and throwaways were more alike one another than the homeless. Most of the parents were living apart suggesting that conflicts were more likely to take place in stepfamilies and single parent families and the situation at home had enforced one parent to leave home. Many of the guests were school-dropouts particularly those coming from the country. A majority had been in contact with the social services, and many boys had been dealt with by the police. Prior use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs was common. Conflicts within the family was the most usual reason for the runaways and throwaways seeking assistance. The most common reason for the homeless visiting was having nowhere to stay, alcohol or drug abuse.

CONCLUSIONS

The plight of the homeless was more serious than that of the runaways and throwaways. The homeless usually had a prior history of having run away or been throwaways from home. The preventive work of the RCH is reflected in keeping young people off the streets and offering assistance before it is too late.