ITANAGAR: A group of former drug addicts from a remote circle in Arunachal Pradesh’s West Siang district has teamed up with a local public leader and administration to help youths recover from substance abuse by setting up a ‘Recovery Club-cum-Counseling Centre’ in their village.
The club was inaugurated on Thursday.
Envisioned by Darak zilla parishad member (ZPM) Minba Raksap, the idea of the ‘Recovery Club-cum-Counseling Centre’ is to help recovering drug addicts get back to everyday life.
The club, which has been set up at Darak Village, around 25 km from the district headquarters Aalo, will be run by youths Kirge Raksap, Dulo Poyom, Degam Potom, Gimo Bogo, Biter Potom, Yilo Potom and Karba Bogo, among others, who are all former drug addicts leading normal lives at present.
Notably, Kirge and Dulo have already worked in counseling centers and are quite experienced when it comes to handling recovering drug addicts.
Speaking with NewsFy, Rakhsap said the recovery club, which has been established at an old and vacant government building with the help of the local administration, will initially cater to 12 recovering drug addicts of the Darak circle.
“These youths who have just come out of drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centres are quite vulnerable and if not shown the right path they may go back to using drugs again,” Rakshap said.
The ZPM said following his visit to several drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centres he has come to know that the ‘withdrawal phase’ is the most challenging for the recovering drug addicts.
“We will have to take special care of them for at least six months, so we plan to bring these youths to the club, counsel and motivate them and keep them busy by engaging them in several recreational activities,” he said.
Rakshap, who has more or less funded the entire set-up, said that the menace of drug addiction has spread fast among the youth of the circle and state and is a major concern now.
He also appealed to the society to do their bid to help such youths instead of depending on the government.
The ZPM further said the club at present has a place for meditation, reading and playing indoor games like carom and plans to add a gym are also being considered.
Darak circle officer Dr N Danggen, who has been supporting ZPM Rakshap in his initiative, said that the people can help the youths overcome their drug addiction by simply being nice to them.
“The stigma attached to drug addiction needs to be done away with as these youths are the future of the circle, our district and state. If shown the right path, they too can get back to everyday life and achieve wonders,” he said.
Local legislator Nyamar Karbak, who has promised to extend all out support to Rakshap, Dr Danggen and the youths for the recovery club, took to social media to express his happiness over the entire development.
“A group of boys from Darak are making a difference are determined to work for the society and offer counseling to the suffering youths. I am overwhelmed by their decision to create an atmosphere for awareness and a drug-free society. I wish them success and will also support and guide them wholeheartedly,” Karbak said while appealing to other youths of the state to emulate the same.
