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| Sunday, 15 June 2003 |
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Features |  |
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Upeksha Medura : A place of hope and healing by DAVEENA PAKIANATHAN A change of environment, remedy, guidance..... and almost a new home. This rehabilitation home for drug addicts, at Moratuwa, has a peaceful environment, conducive to finding something new in their lives again, to entering into a new world and joining hands with society once more.
All human beings born into this world have a lot of expectations in life and they don't easily realise them. So they seek substitutes and take to drugs, keep bad company and resort to various wrong acts. They themselves don't realise, that they have been led down a wrong path in search of something new in their lives. It's called " Upeksha Medura". "Upeksha", in Buddhism means hope of life.... in achieving expectations. "This is what I'm trying to do", says Thanuja Fernando, the founder of Upeksha Medura. He was a drug addict himself for nine years. He has started this centre in his own house with his father's help, transforming it into a rehabilitation home for drug addicts. There are 35 inmates, from various backgrounds. Many of them are young and are males from 17 to 50 years of age. "Getting them involved in the project was not easy as it is now. Initially there were inhibitions and we had to build up a certain trust. This trust has to be established in them and their parents. Parents are the ones who bring them here to recover. Sometimes even drug addicts come on their own initiative to get cured from this perilous habit," he says. "I started using drugs when I was 13, during the Big Match time. That was the period where we were alone and independent, enjoying with our friends without any parents' control. I was addicted to it for nearly nine years and messed up my studies. Then my father took me to several rehabilitation centres. Even then I couldn't stop using drugs," says Thanuja. Then through his own efforts and prayers he came through the haze of confusion he had built around himself.
After recovering he worked as a counsellor at various rehab centres for two years. Since he had seen and lived through the nightmare,he decided to help others in distress. "Finally I realised that I was serving no purpose dealing with the problem in this way. I was not satisfied with the American system they use for the treatment. I personally feel that using fully American methods won't suit our country. Our religion, culture and society are entirely different. So we should follow something which will suit our nation. It must be done in a more sustained and structured way. That's how "Upeksha Medura" was born," explained Thanuja. This small centre was started two years ago with one purpose, to help individuals recover from drug addiction. Thanuja knows with certainty, that most drug addicts are basically generous people. "It is the crippling manifestation of drug addiction that changes their character and leads to decay of their ethics and morals." He adds that the programme they follow is neither a psychiatric nor medical programme. Ravi (not his real name), who is 23 years old said that he started using drugs three years ago while he was working, then later he realised that he has lost his position in society. "After that I found out about this place and came to cure myself. Now I'm here for nearly one year. If I can help this home in any way, I will certainly help," he said full of hope. "I'm Kumar (not his real name), I started using drugs when I was in school. When my parents found out they brought me to this home. Now I feel I can be without these drugs," he said with confidence. But still there are people who blindly fall victims to this obsession again when they go back to society. Initially Thanuja, just talks to people who come to Upeksha Medura, sharing their grievances and troubles. That is overwhelming, he says. He used to follow, the two way communication method, "That is what helps them a lot. More than advice they need some one to speak to." The programmes are mainly based on Buddhism. He believes religion and meditation are the only way to help them. And for security purpose there are some boys who are faithful to us, who help us. We don't get any volunteers for counselling. Apart from myself, we use people who were here before. We don't get any donations or funds, but we are certainly in need of help. Today the inmates of "Upeksha Medura" spend their time meditating, or in educational programmes and activities that include cooking, gardening and writing. For Poson Poya day, these boys who are out here were busy making lanterns using a special technique. These lanterns display distinct flair and show how inventive they are. To make others aware of the hazard of drugs they have conducted programmes in many schools in order to educate youth. The best part, as Thanuja summarises it, is the great satisfaction helping these inmates gives him. "They too have dreams and ambitions like all other humans, and what they need is the opportunity to realise them." But in the midst of despair and dark clouds, there's always hope. And these addicts have been taught to believe that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. If you wish to help them reach it the number to call is 652299. |
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