China
addicts instead of punishment
By Dr.Fourkan Ali
China is trying out free voluntary rehabilitation to help
drug users end their addiction, after recent government regulations exempting
drug users from punishment if they consent to such treatment.
The Tian Kang rehabilitation centre in Beijing is part of
this initiative. It welcomes addicts who voluntarily opt for treatment. Before
receiving a treatment, drug users must sign an agreement to stay clean for at
least three months, where they will be provided with psychological and
counselling sessions designed to help them break the habit.
One of them is 32-year-old inmate Zhao from Liaoning
province. He has been taking heroin for seven years and tried to kick the
addiction several times, but with little success.
"Before taking drugs, I was an eager young man with
a sunshine outlook," said Mr Zhao. "After taking drugs, I became lazy
and irresponsible. My value system was overturned. I lost interest in
everything."
With his health damaged and personal ties threatened, he
decided to turn to the rehabilitation centre in Beijing.
Besides counselling sessions, drug users like Mr Zhao are
also given personalised treatment, which helps restore their health and to stay
away from drugs. Counsellors also gives them tips on finding jobs and starting
new businesses, as well as advice on communicating with family members.
"After counselling, the first thing I told my father
was that 'I was wrong'. The second was that 'I would give up drugs'. The third
was 'please believe me'. Then both of us hugged," said Mr Zhai, a
34-year-old methamphetamine user from Hebei province who is receiving treatment
at the rehabilitation centre in the capital.
"My father said he believes I could kick my drug
habit. From then on, I realised that things have to change. If not, everything
that I have will be gone," he added.
Mr Zhai is among the 500,000 drug users in compulsory
drug detention centres across China, which is struggling to get more addicts to
come forward.
"The personal motivation to give up drugs is the
most crucial. Only when there is personal will can we do our best to help them.
And only then will they actively cooperate with us. And only then will the
treatments be effective," said Chief Drug Rehab Officer at the Tian Kang
Drug Rehabilitation Center Fan Wenyong.
According to government figures, there are 2.58 million
drug users registered in China, where drug use is said to have caused an
economic loss of more than US$16 billion every year.
- CNA/pp
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