Family, community support key to ex-addicts recovery
Family, community support key to ex-addicts recovery
BOGOR (JP): While it will take at least two years for a total
absence from drugs, support from the family and the community is
needed to prevent ex-addicts from re-consuming drugs, an official
said on Saturday.
"Support from the family and environment is important to
ensure that the ex-addicts will no more consume drugs after
completing their three to four months here," said Salamun,
chairman of the Darul Ichsan Islamic Boarding School.
The school, which is located in Selawangi village, Cariu
subdistrict, Bogor, some 76 kilometers east of Jakarta, runs a
rehabilitation center for drug addicts.
"The detoxification process, or releasing drugs from the body,
is relatively fast and easy.
"Our mentors here control the students's attitude and
behavior, and monitor their progress on daily basis," he said.
"But who can guarantee that they will not use drugs again
after they return to their families?" he asked.
Since its establishment a year ago, the Darul Ichsan
rehabilitation center has treated 310 drug-addicts, 20 of whom
were females.
Salamun admitted that the school did not always succeed with
its programs as some 20 percent of the students failed to
complete the program.
"Some addicts managed to escape from this isolated place or
their families forced us to release their children," he said.
The 33-hectare center is located in a valley, which is not
easily reached from the highway.
"Though the area is isolated, but we use a non-isolationist
system to treat the addicts -- there are no fences here. This
enables the addicts freer to concentrate on their rehabilitation
programs," said Salamun.
He admitted that it would require more time to ascertain
whether the rehabilitation program was successful or not.
"It's internationally agreed that we need at least two years
before we declare an ex-addict as totally free from drugs.
"We can't declare that now. We have to wait another year," he
said.
A standard set by the World Health Organization (WHO)
stipulates that three consecutive years are needed to confirm
that a person is clean from drugs.
Salamun said the center integrated medical, religious and
psycho-social approaches to help the addicts recover.
"We offer many programs to the students, mostly slanted toward
vocational skills," he said, while citing calligraphy and making
salted-eggs as examples.
The students also have physical activities such as pencak
silat (traditional martial arts) and hiking on the hilly site.
Salamun said it was important for the participants to continue
programs after they return home.
"That's how the family can help the addicts. Don't let them be
inactive. Urge them to socialize with the community," he said.
A participant, Sidqi Najib, 17, said he was pleased with the
programs offered by Darul Ichsan.
"They make me move every day and offer more activities than
just religious rituals," said Najib, who consumed drugs for two
years since he was in junior high school.
Najib's father said he 'abducted' his oldest son to the
rehabilitation center.
"We only told Najib that we were going to a villa. He was
flying at that time," he said.
Another participant Mirza, 26, said he was working for a shoe
factory before he decided to enter the center.
"I told my mother that I was tired of being an addict. It was
up to her where she would send me," he told reporters.
"I'm quite happy here, free from the drugs. But I don't know
whether I will be able to face the challenges once I return to
Jakarta," he said. (05)