DIMAPUR, MAY 6 (MExN): Pouched on the side of a hill, Shansham Rehab Center at Mon came as ‘home’ for the souls spoiled by the substance abuse.
Mon district, which is being disillusioned by opium for years, still account for highest rate of substance abuse in the state no other Rehabilitation Center.
Launched on June 26, 2005, in commemoration of International Illicit Drug Trafficking and Abuse Day, the Shansham Rehab center is struggling in its small way to proffer relieve and show escape way to the addicts. The present home was constructed and given to the Shansham Organization by Assam Rifle for setting up of Rehab Center. However, the latter has been asking the Organizations to shift, citing security reason.
So far the Center has about 200 clients, and at present, the Center homes about 20 inmates. This is the only Rehab Center in the whole district which home about 20,000 substance abusers, and catered various activities like sports, music etc besides counseling.
However, like any other Rehab Centre, Shansham Organization is struggling to withstand the test of trial. Equip with meager resources, the Centre mainly depends on individual well wishers, community, Government, and other humanitarian agencies for sustenance.
“We have received a piece of land and has started earth cutting for construction of the Center”, said Shakai Director of the Organization. However, the center would need more infrastructures, as such the appeals to the community for assistance continues, he added. The Center main sources are the community and well wishers so far, with supports from the Assam Rifle.
Albeit, district administration chose to belittle the figure of drug addictions amongst the adults and its trafficking, many cases has proven that Mon district is still under the total grip of drug addiction menace.
Social workers and NGOs put statistics at approximately 20,000 drug related cases annually, although, there is no official record. Moreover, at least 16-20 substance abuse related deaths are reported annually from the district, said social workers.
“About 90% of the families are affected by substance abuse even in Mon town alone, plus there is high rate of school dropouts, delinquency, HIV related cases, broken family overdose amongst the youths etc”, said Shakai. He also said that drug addiction has taken a dramatic turn. Earlier, it was popular among the well heels, but now it has started attacking the poor and marginalized section of the society. Even the district sub-jail, which account for the highest inmates, about 90% are drug addiction related cases.
Perhaps, given this fact, Shansham Rehab Centre could be a haven for those souls eager enough to escape from drug addiction and related evils.
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