We visited the Juvenile De-addiction and Rehabilitation Center today in New Delhi. This facility is through SPYM (Society Program for Youth and Masses) and was started in 2010. There are around 80 SPYM centers around Delhi that serve different populations (women, children, truckers, men) focusing on drug use and HIV treatment and prevention in high risk populations. One integral part of their mission is demand reduction, which is done through a variety of means such as awareness programs, meetings, assorted competitions, workshops, seminars, IEC materials (information, education and communications), and treatment centers. SPYM started in the 1990s from the grassroots level in an effort to alter India’s view of addiction. Prior to this time, addiction was considered a bad habit. SPYM attempted to spread awareness that addiction is instead a disease.
SPYM is an NGO, but the Juvenile De-addiction Center also partners with the government. At this facility there are 50 beds for boys under the age of 18, but there are currently 86 boys at this location. The youngest boy in the program is nine years old. Since its conception, they have treated over 700 children. Male juveniles in conflict with the law are mandated to participate in the program through the court system. The courts also receive weekly updates and progress reports from the facility. The government ultimately decides when the boys are ready to be re-integrated into society. The maximum stay at the facility is 90 days; however, boys often choose to stay longer as volunteers or peer educators.
General Information about Childhood Addiction in India:
- Over 20 million children a year and nearly 55,000 children a day in India are drawn to tobacco addiction.
- About 70% of children drop out of school at the primary level due to addiction.
- There has been an increase of 143% in juvenile crime in India from 2002-2012.
- Peer pressure is the major reason (85%) why children get involved in drugs.
What is SPYM doing to help?
The program’s approach is rooted in the three R’s:
1) Reformation
2) Rehabilitation
3) Re-integration into Society
When a juvenile first comes to the program, he first goes through detoxification which can last anywhere from 72 hours to one week. Once finished with detoxification, he is placed into the program which focuses on both thought and behavior modification. The participants are involved in various daily activities. Each day begins with yoga and meditation. Afterwards they read “Just for Today” which is a book about modification in thought processes. This book is used by NA and has 365 topics, one for each day. Then there is group input (30 topics for 30 days) and life skills sessions that follow these models:
1. Joy of learning
2. Knowing yourself (your identity, individuality)
3. Rebuilding relationships
4. Communication
5. Adolescent changes (physical and psychological)
6. How to control your feelings
7. Personal hygiene
8. How to abstain from drugs (how to say “no”)
Other components of the day include literacy and numeracy classes and sports activities for two hours. There is also skills training for reintegration into society. Counseling is an integral part of treatment with daily group counseling, individual counseling twice weekly, and family counseling once a week.
At the end of the day, there is a reflection session using peer educators. The day closes in prayer which is incorporated in the morning and with each meal.
Daily Schedule
After learning about the program, we met a 24 year old male who has been in recovery for seven years. He started using drugs at the age of 10, used for seven years, and came to the program at age 17. He completed the program after 3 months and is now working as a drive for the facility. He has chosen to work for the facility to keep himself off of the streets and away from potential triggers.
We later met up with Anoop at Select City Walk, a large mall near our apartment. We had a delicious lunch with him and spent the rest of the evening with our other friends in our program shopping.
Back due to popular request by our followers, here are some videos!
-Alli
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