Drug rehabilitation center offers comprehensive care

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

There is nothing about the blue, orange and yellow building standing on 7,000 square meters of land in a plush housing estate in Sentul, Bogor, about 40 kilometers from the capital, that marks it as a drug rehabilitation center.

But then Kedhaton Parahita is no ordinary rehab center, as it also reaches out to the community, getting people involved in the nationwide campaign against drug abuse, especially among young people.

Presiding over the inauguration of the new facility on Saturday, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono urged every region in the country to set up similar facilities.

"With such facilities we will no longer function just as a kind of 'fire extinguisher' for drug users, but rather will be able to stop drug abuse before it happens."

The facility's operator, Father Lambertus Somar, said the rehab center used a therapeutic community approach involving psychiatrists, psychologists, medical doctors, clinical supervisors, spiritual supervisors, counselors, nurses, social workers and family members of the patients.

He said the center offered a comprehensive approach to fighting drug abuse with preemptive, preventive, curative and aftercare programs.

"Our slogan is: 'Man helping man help himself.' This house will help them get both education and care," said Somar, the founder of the Kasih Mulia Foundation, which manages the facility.

Somar said currently there were 20 male patients housed in the facility, which can accommodate a maximum of 20 women and 44 men.

"Since this foundation was established seven years ago, 700 patients have gone through our program," he said.

He said the center would not turn away anyone who needed help, even if they had no money.

"The cost for a month is Rp 4 million, but people can just pay what they can," he said.

The center also has established ties with the Ministry of Social Affairs and a U.S-affiliated organization, the World Federation of the Therapeutic Community.

Susilo said the establishment of drug rehabilitation centers in each region should be done in cooperation with local experts, including psychologists, psychiatrists and spiritual leaders.

Susilo also said all governors, mayors and regents must take part in the drive against drugs.(004)