19 June 2011 is Father’s Day and we decided to break away from the norm and do something different and meaningful. So, we joined 1Month 1Charity in their visit to BOAS Home, a drug rehabilitation centre situated in Klang. This is our first outing with them and we believe is the start of many more to come, as we find this group of young people’s noble mission in helping the less fortunate truly inspiring.
We arrived at the designated place on time and was warmly greeted by their Organiser, Chew, a friendly young guy who made us feel welcomed instantly. The eight of us, including my 2 kids, had a quick bite at the mamak restaurant nearby before proceeding to purchase some groceries for the Centre.
On arrival, we were led into their cafeteria to drop off our groceries and wandered around on our own while waiting for Pastor Nathan. This place is rented at RM1800 per month and its funding comes from the church and other generous donors. We were told that some from the residents’ families do make small monetary contribution but it is not obligatory. This Centre only accepts non-Muslim drug addicts for their 2-year Rehabilitation Program. Some of them are referred by Agensi Anti-Dadah Kebangsaan (AADK), some are admitted by their families, while there are also some individuals who goes there voluntarily to seek help in kicking their habit.
Pastor Nathan briefed us on how the Centre is run and the method they adopt to help the addicts overcome their addiction. He explained why he is not in favour of the replacement drug therapy in this Centre but instead opt for the conventional “cold turkey” method. With this method and enforcement of strict regime within the Centre, along with counselling and care, the success rate is quite good. The pride in Pastor Nathan’s face is evident as he recalled some of his “success” cases, among them, two has followed in his footsteps and joined the ministry to become pastors as well.
The residents are required to attend classes held in the small Chapel within the Centre, which are equipped with books and also musical instruments. As this is a Christian-based centre, sermons are also conducted, either by Pastor Nathan himself or via inspirational movies. Daily routine chores such as sweeping, washing, cooking etc. are shared among them. We were given a tour around the Centre which brings us to a small plot of vegetable garden which are tended to by the residents themselves. At the back, we were shown a shed and a coop which houses goats and chicken respectively. There is even a small concrete pool where they rear fish. This is a good activity to occupy the residents' free time.
We were later ushered into Pastor Nathan’s office where he shared with us information on the various kinds of drugs available, their respective addictive and destructive level and also their availability in the market. Some of these drugs, especially those psychotropic pills, which are costly but easily available, are extremely dangerous and can cause life-long damage to the brain. Surprisingly, even normal and unseemly dangerous things such as glue, gasoline and marker pens can be abused and turn into a form of addiction. Sniffing glue, gasoline and marker pens can put one in an intoxicated state or more commonly known as “high” feeling. Long term indulgence in these habits will eventually damage the nasal respiratory system.
The Centre’s success speaks for itself, judging from the number of registrants on the waiting list, some which Pastor Nathan has to turn away with regret due to lack of space to accommodate them. To overcome this, Pastor has plans to extend and renovate the existing building so that more can undergo and benefit from their Rehabilitation Program. For this purpose, a charity bazaar will be held on the upcoming weekend at their premise to raise the funds.
To the general public, BOAS Home rehabilitates addicts but to the addicts themselves, BOAS Home offers much more. It not only cures them of their addiction, but also restore their dignity, their hope in life and gives them the much-needed confidence and encouragement to go back into society. Their care and concern does not stop upon completion of the Rehabilitation Program but they continue to provide the ex-addicts with counselling and assistance in securing a job, as they slowly ease back into society to start afresh. This may be the positive factor whichs make this Centre different from the rest.
After spending almost 2 hours there, we left BOAS Home behind, but bringing back with us another valuable experience and insight into the world of this group of people shunned by society. It is normal for human to err, especially the young ones. Without proper guidance, they are influenced by the wrong people, they take the wrong step and fall to temptation. However, it is good to know that it is not the end for them as there are places like BOAS Home and people like Pastor Nathan who can offer them another chance to kick their addiction and start life anew.
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