With the dream of creating an addiction free world, AKSA opened the Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCA) and has been continuously supported by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. It specializes in creating a multi- faceted program that reaches people from all different walks of life. IRCA focuses on three things – awareness, de- addiction treatment, and rehabilitation. Its program features individual, group, marital, pre-marital, and youth therapy. IRCA is a firm believer in maintaining and restoring patient’s relationships with friends and family. Through many types of therapy, relationships can be restored, and support systems at home can be created. Skilled counsellors help patients develop their personalities in order to fight addictive habits. The recovery rate of the center is above 80 percent from the inception.
“Mahatma” 15-bedded rehabilitation centre treating the alcoholics and addicts. During the year 2019-2020, 180 patients have been treated. We address all aspects of a patient's life, providing medical and mental health services. The alcohol and drug treatment administered to a patient depends on the level and intensity of addiction. Therefore, if the patient is strongly addicted to a substance, our center provides 30 days treatment for recovery. In addition, 3 – 5 days of medically assisted detoxification is only the first stage of treatment but it does not help much against a long- term drug abuse. After the treatment, we practice follow-up options, such as community of family based recovery support systems, with doctors and qualified staff to provide assistance and support to patients.
Programmes/Activities | Achievements | Cumulative |
Awareness programme conducted | 24 | 384 |
Support person meeting conducted | 12 | 24 |
Community meetings conducted | 51 | 750 |
Total no. of individual counselling | 1999 | 25990 |
No. of Re-educative sessions | 277 | 4220 |
No. of group therapy session | 225 | 2800 |
Total no. of group activity session | 225 | 3200 |
Total no. of family therapy session | 101 | 1600 |
Total no. of follow-up services | 1395 | 20000 |
Under NAPDDR programme, AKSA had undertaken several planned programmes at Villupuram District. At first, Community meetings were organized and carried out in high risk and vulnerable areas. Viewers and participants are more numerous and awareness messages have been reached to multiple population. The meetings addressed vulnerable groups in and around Tindivanam where substance use is often concentrated and focuses on improving their opportunities in difficult living and social conditions. Street plays and rallies with drug awareness messages through character roles, quotes in banners, pamphlets are carried out in high risk and vulnerable areas. This as the follow up of community meetings. Trainings and orientations have been imparted among self-help groups, youth groups, school and college students. Training focused more on the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse and the penalties that may be imposed for drug and alcohol abuse violations. At the industrial level, crushers workers and fuel station workers have been sensitized on drug abuse prevention and awareness which focused adverse effect of drug use in family, social and economic life of individuals.
Annai Karunalaya Social Welfare Association is also operating center for rehabilitation of addicts at Vaniyambadi of Vellore District. Liquor consumption among menfolk is widely observed resulting in family dissolution, unemployment and various other health related problems. Our IRCA is a boon for such addicts to get treatment and rehabilitate from the addiction and lead a happy life. The patients admitted in our centre undergo medical checkups, detoxification, multivitamin and medicine treatment, physical exercises and yoga, education on the topics of alcohol-related health threats and social aspects, and individual psychological counseling. Every Saturday they are visited by their families who are also advised on how to support the recovery. We are grateful to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for supporting for this needy project in Vellore District where there is no other such centre existed so far.
Annai Karunalaya Social Welfare Association (AKSA) is indebted of thankfulness to Ministry of social justice and empowerment, Ministry of women and child development, Central Social Welfare Board, Office of the Commissioner of Social Welfare, Office of the Commissioner of Social Defense and Tamil Nadu state Social Welfare Board. We are on the way to continue to solidify services for the betterment of children, women, senior citizen and the persons who addicted and lost their life in our project areas. We stand on the immense support and guidance of well-wishers and donors during the coming year as well.
Our thanks to the all of our donors and supporters, who donated in cash and kind. In particular, the staff, the doctors, nurses, caregivers and auxiliary staff is admirable, and we express our appreciation and expect the same kind of supports at all during the coming days.