Meduma,Pathuma solicit help

Meduma and Pathuma drug addict rehabilitation centres at Nayakakanda, Hendala run by the Archdiocese of Colombo help people to get over from addictions and integrate into society.

The Apostolate for Drugs and Alcohol Demand Reduction Service was launched by Rev. Fr. Boniface Mendis in 1998 and over a decade a large number of drugs and alcohol addicts have been rehabilitated and integrated into society.

Director of the centres, Rev. Fr. Jude Bernard Rodrigo, said drug and alcohol addicts are rehabilitated through the Therapeutic Community Method which helps each other to gain lost good life.

He said those intending to follow the program need to stay at least six months at the centre to fully recover. The residential program is for males.

Drug and alcohol victims are rehabilitated through counselling, value education, behaviour therapy and belief method, according to his religion.

" The apostolate provides services to all irrespective of caste and creed and currently around 80-100 inmates are following the program", the Director said.

He said that the inmates are preparing to celebrate Christmas and the New Year on a grandscale. Christmas decorations by the inmates will be on display and sale from December 1.

Those who wish to support the apostolate could contact the Director of the institute or the Parish Priest of St. Mary's Church Nayakakanda. LF