Programmes against Substance Abuse
Use of Alcohol and other types of drugs increase day by day. It has become one of the major problems and cause for many of the other problems in the society, especially in the coastal area. Therefore active involvement and awareness generation among people towards Anti-Alcohol programmes are mostly concentrated in the 6 coastal regions of Trivandrum. There are 10 Anti-Alcohol Samithies are formed in the six regions and trainings are given to equip them and to strengthen of anti alcohol activities through the Samithies. Anti-Tobacco Day and Anti- Drug Day are observed with different programmes to create awareness among children and the general public. Awareness programme, exhibition, quiz competition and seminars are organized in the schools. Occasionally de-addiction camps are also organized in the villages.
Pratheeksha De-Addiction Centre at Shangumugam plays important role in the treatment and rehabilitation of those addicted. Ever since the foundation of this centre during 1992 the centre creditably works and achieves results which is praiseworthy. Counseling, group therapy, yoga and spiritual therapy are provided to the patients as part of their treatment. Library and recreational facilities are also provided. Re-education sessions and Occupational therapy are provided to their mental strength and reduce tension. The treatment process continues even after discharge. The patients are exhorted to attend the follow ups in specific intervals. The field visit by the community worker keep us well informed of the actual situation of the patients. In cases of relapse, readmission is also given. To evaluate the programme and its success as a whole, more than 60% of the patients remain sober, who underwent treatment in this institution for 31 days.