"I was desperate. I was almost €300,000 in debt and thought I couldn't make it." Marcella—not her real name—is one of the many people who turned to the "Liberi dal debito" (Debt-Free) help desk in Quartu. The desk opened at the town hall after the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the association of the same name, which works nationally to promote Law 3 of 2012, the so-called "Suicide Prevention Act," and to help those in need. The help desk is managed by Gianluca Angius, the association's regional representative, who has been on the front lines after experiencing the tragedy of over-indebtedness firsthand.

Consultations

Since last February, the Municipality's Department of Social Services has hosted the island's first Debt-Free help desk. This office on Via Cilea offers consultations by appointment (by email at info@liberidaldebito.org or by calling +39 345 3010319) and helps determine whether you qualify for the procedures set forth in the Business Crisis Code. In six months, requests have been numerous: approximately 150 people have contacted the help desk (by email or phone), 70 have been received, and 35 have been addressed. "They come from all over Southern Sardinia—fathers, entrepreneurs, and freelancers, all crushed by debt accumulated over the years," says Angius. "Unfortunately, few people are aware of this law, which truly allows them to draw a line under their past and get their lives back on track."

Stories of debt

A nightmare that for some amounts to over €800,000 in debt. Like in the case of Silvia—also a fictitious name—an employment consultant: "I opened my own firm when I was very young, I hired four employees, and one of them even defrauded me. I started getting into debt to cover all my expenses, and after a few years, the situation got out of control." The only way out is the Suicide Prevention Act, recommended by the Liberi dal debito association: "I gave up a small house plus a portion of my income for three years; the rest will be written off thanks to the ruling." Among the first appointments at the Quartu office is with a sales agent: he has unpaid taxes and contributions for several years, plus interest and penalties. "I applied for several loans to pay off a €297,000 debt, but I only made the situation worse. I was letting myself go, now I'm finally seeing some light." Entrepreneurs, freelancers, lawyers. The list also includes a retired police officer who was scammed by fake online investments: "I took out several loans and ended up in debt for over €100,000."

The failure

A period of darkness and anguish that Gianluca Angius knows well. The family business, severely tested by the 2008 economic crisis, went from golden years to debt of over €450,000, ultimately leading to bankruptcy.

The Liberi dal debito association helped him: the process began in February 2021, just over a year after the Cagliari court ruling that saved him by spreading the debt over a period defined by law based on how much he can repay. "In April of next year, I'll finish canceling the debt," he recalls, "but I'll continue my mission alongside those experiencing difficult situations similar to mine, or even worse." His is a story with a happy ending, along with the over 300 debt cancellation rulings that have given hope to just as many people across Italy.

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