Pubdate: Sat, 26 Dec 2009
Source: Shanghai Daily (China)
Copyright: 2009 Shanghai Daily Company
Contact:  http://www.shanghaidaily.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4249
Authors: Qian Bo and Chen Ye
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

FORMER DRUG ADDICTS COME CLEAN

FORMER drug addict surnamed He has been given a new  start in her
life, thanks to staff at a Minhang  recovery center.

Once hopelessly addicted to drugs, the young woman was  sent to the
rehab center by her family.

However, her mother acted very strictly with her and  the young woman
became depressed again after completing  an abstention program.

When community staff at the center noticed, they  immediately worked
intensively with He and her mother  to resolve the problem.

Now she's a productive member of society again and has  met her "Mr
Right."

And at her wedding ceremony, she invited health center  workers to
share her happiness.

"They are like my family members," said He.

According to drug laws passed in China last year,  neighborhood
committees can help drug addicts abstain  with medical treatment and
labor.

Most recovery centers are now established in community  health
centers.

Because many drug addicts suffer from a series of  diseases, they are
generally not brave enough to seek  treatment at general hospitals.

Community doctors can refer addicts to recovery  centers, which have a
staff of 11 authorized  psychologists in Minhang District.

Last week psychologists set up the Minhang Professional  Psychology
Consultation Group in the area.

At present, at least one professional medical worker  staffs each
recovery center with several full-time drug  counselors and volunteers.

Their aim is to help resolve problems for people  willing to abstain
from drugs, support them and help  them build up enough confidence to
return to society.

Xiao Wang used to be a drug addict. After weaning  himself off drugs,
he rented a plot of land to grow  grapes and earned his own living.

However, it took a long time before the harvest and  Wang soon turned
to drugs again to relieve his stress.

Community staff noticed and immediately stepped in to  help -- even
finding a buyer for his grapes.

Wang was so touched by their concern that he vowed to  renounce drugs
forever.

The recovery centers help former addicts find jobs,  help them apply
for community charity assistance, and  find volunteers to assist their
children's education. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D