Today, the problem of drug addiction is becoming increasingly urgent. Drugs become more available in educational institutions and in entertainment locations for young people. The number of drug users is growing. Officially, about 4 000 people are registered, who use drugs daily, but specialists estimate that only about one of 10 users are brought to the attention of medical institutions. We can thus conclude that currently 20 000 - 40 000 thousand people in Latvia regularly use drugs. For the most part, these are young people.
The day drugs enter a young person’s life is the day that person’s destruction begins. But he is not yet aware of that fact. He continues to go to school or work. He thinks he will be the exception, that he will never be “a slave to the needle”, he will never fall so low, will never quit school, start stealing or become involved in prostitution– he will never be in jail… He will stop, whenever he wants to.
However, this is an illusion. With every next dose, the chains tighten. And the day will come when it is almost impossible to break free. There is only one goal – to get the next dose. Every cell of the body works only to achieve this goal. The power of drugs is so enormous, that nothing can help. Medicine is useless. Relatives can only watch in despair, as their beloved one is slowly dying, how his personality collapses, how his future falls apart.
This is the road that ultimately leads to death. Either through overdose or AIDS. Jail, an accident, suicide. In any case, these people do not live long. Unfortunately, reality is what it is. If only… One could manage to break free. Examples of positive cases (see here).
It is hard to break free, but it is possible. Together with those who understand and give support, with those who are by your side and help you pull through. With those, who have themselves gone through it all, who have been at the threshold of death, but still have found strength in themselves to fight and to win.
The majority of the people with addiction put up with the fact and choose the easiest way. They have given up, as have their relatives and society. They do not believe that there is an escape because the statistics of the world show that less than 10 % of drug addicts are capable of regaining their normal lives. But we believe it because we have returned ourselves.
Rehabilitation Centre Neatkarība is open in Balvi district, Lazdukalna parish, and is a place where people with drug or alcohol addictions can receive help. There is a long and hard road to breaking free from an addiction. Freedom and the ability to live a respectable life is something one has to fight for step by step. The rehabilitation programme for one person at the Centre Neatkarība lasts no less than a year. Only those who have taken a serious decision and really are willing to change their lives live at the Centre,. Those, who have made the choice and really want to live.
Project goal: to support the daily activities of the Rehabilitation Centre Neatkarība, providing residence for the clients at the Centre
Residence at the centre for one person costs about LVL 1.50 a day. This amount includes catering and hygiene items, medical expenses, household needs for the Centre, heating, electricity and gas. At the Centre Neatkarība, support is provided to about 26 people. The total monthly expenses are LVL 1 170 – about LVL 45 for one person per month.
Project implementer: The association Neatkarība Balt, established by people who have themselves experienced the problems of addiction. They have won this fight, but at the same time understand that this victory is given only for one purpose – to help others. Additionally, the rehabilitation association for addicted people operates in the field of addiction prophylaxis (especially among young people) and provides support and consultations for the co-dependent.
More information about the association is available at: www.neatkariba-balt.lv
Project published in the portal: 25 November 2008
The Project is placed online on: 25.11.2008
Project completed 25.11.2009
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