Peer-led Correction & Rehabilitation

A new a definition of 'recovery' for those suffering from mental illness or addiction.

2011-12-26T16:23:00.000-08:00

A year-long project has led to a new a definition of 'recovery' for those suffering from mental illness or addiction. TheSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced its new definition this week: "A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential." The new definition, which lands somewhere between thoughtful and pithy, is meant to help doctors and policymakers who oversee the fields of mental health and addiction.

What's the Big Idea?

Along with the new definition, researchers and other mental-health experts clarified four major dimensions that support a life in recovery: Health, home, purpose and community. 'Health' means "overcoming or managing one's disease(s) as well as living in a physically and emotionally healthy way"; 'Home' is a stable and safe place to live; 'Purpose' means "meaningful daily activities, such as a job, school, volunteerism, family caretaking or creative endeavors, and the independence, income and resources to participate in society"; 'Community' means "relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, love and hope."

http://bigthink.com/ideas/41683?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+bigthink%2Fmain+%28Big+Think+Main%29

United Nations labour agency warns of a youth jobs crisis in both developed and developing countries, with young people aged 15 to 24

2011-12-04T22:23:00.000-08:00

World’s Youth Facing Worsening Jobs Crisis, New UN Report Says

A new report by the United Nations labour agency warns of a youth jobs crisis in both developed and developing countries, with young people aged 15 to 24 finding it increasingly difficult to obtain decent employment and future prospects are dim. The report released on 18 October 2011 in New York.

As it released its Global Employment Trends for Youth: 2011 Update,” the International Labour Organization (ILO) notes that the recent global economic crisis led to a “substantial” increase in youth unemployment rates, reversing earlier favourable trends over the past decade.

At the peak of the crisis period in 2009, the global youth unemployment rate saw its largest annual increase on record, rising from 11.8 per cent to 12.7 per cent between 2008 and 2009 – an unprecedented increase of 4.5 million unemployed youth worldwide.

The average increase of the pre-crisis period (1997-2007) was less than 100,000 persons per year.

The report says the absolute number of unemployed youth fell slightly since its peak in 2009 – from 75.8 million to 75.1 million in late 2010, a drop of 12.7 per cent – and is expected to decline to 74.6 million in 2011, or 12.6 per cent.

However, this is due more to youth withdrawing from the labour market, rather than finding jobs. This is especially true in the developed economies and the European Union region.

The agency warns of a “scarred” generation of young workers and growing frustration amid millions of youth worldwide who are facing a dangerous mix of high unemployment, increased inactivity and precarious work.

If youth unemployment were examined alone, states the report, one might wrongly guess that young people in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa are doing well compared to the developed economies, when in fact the high employment-to-population ratios of youth in the poorest regions mean the poor have no choice but work.

“There are by far more young people around the world that are stuck in circumstances of working poverty than are without work or looking for work,” the report points out.

It also notes that the collective frustration among youth has been a contributing factor to protest movements around the world this year, as it becomes increasingly difficult for young people to find anything other than part-time and temporary work.

It adds that the “bad luck of the generation entering the labour market in the years of the Great Recession brings not only current discomfort from unemployment, under-employment and the stress of social hazards associated with joblessness and prolonged inactivity, but also possible longer-term consequences in terms of lower future wages and distrust of the political and economic system.”

“These new statistics reflect the frustration and anger that millions of youth around the world are feeling,” said José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, Executive Director of the ILO Employment Sector.

He noted that governments are struggling to find innovative solutions through labour market interventions such as addressing skills mismatches, job search support, entrepreneurship training and subsidies to hiring.

“These measures can make a difference, but ultimately more jobs must come from measures beyond the labour market that aim to remove obstacles to growth recovery such as accelerating the repair of the financial system, bank restructuring and recapitalization to re-launch credit to small- and medium-sized enterprises, and real progress in global demand rebalancing,” he said.

The report offers a series of policy measures for promoting youth employment, including developing an integrated strategy for growth and job creation with a focus on young people as well as improving the quality of jobs and investing in the quality of education and training.

Perhaps most important of all, according to the report, is to pursue financial and macroeconomic policies that aim to remove obstacles to economic recovery.

The pdf version of report available at

http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_emp/---emp_elm/---trends/documents/publication/wcms_165455.pdf

Peer led drug rehabilitation center in Delhi " The New Beginning of New Life" members interacting with young members of Radio club

2011-11-17T00:50:00.000-08:00

Mr.Ganesh Thapliyal and Mr.Heera Singh Dhami from a peer led drug rehabilitation center the Beginning of a New Life were invited to speak to young members of Pehachaan Radio Club Balbhawan Mandi Village Delhi. Mr.Ganesh and Mr.Heera are drug free for than a decade recovery and proud of being drug free and believes in total abstinence from all mood altering drug including alcohol. They shared their real life experiences,attitudes related to their childhood and young age and how they suffered because of drug abuse and what they lost and how they overcome. Sharing with these young people was itself was a new experience for them. Although, they have been conducting similar sharing based prevention program among college and school going population. This event was organised by Nada India in collaboration with Jawahar Balbhawan Mandi on 8th Nov.2011. They also asserted that harm related to drug and alcohol abuse can be reduced by way of adopting

comprehensive total abstinence based peer led drug treatment and rehabilitation approach and policy at an individual ,rehabilitation center and National level. They also asserted that new Government policy should provide scope to facilitate the spread of peer led rehabilitation centers in the country as these peer led centers are accessible and affordable to the poor and marginalized sections of the the society . Both of them got their treatment from Sahara House . The session was facilitated by Mr.Suneel Vatsyayan

Mr.Ganesh Thapliyal and Mr.Heera Singh Dhami from a peer led drug rehabilitation center the Beginning of a New Life

Pehachaan Radio club Balbhawan Mandi : An initiative of Nada India and Balbhawan

Suneel Vatsyayan's Blog

2011-11-04T07:57:00.000-07:00

“I deserve to be different from others . I belong to the new consuming class because I worked for it. I earned it . This is a better way to prove my social mobility by having a right (still limited right as per income ) to consume,” says Anil, 30 year old from Delhi NCR Gurgoan who working in a Multi National Company. The new class, consuming class, is found among the traditional middle class in India, especially in metropolitan cities. This is really a market driven new identity which is built on a happy or unhappy past. People would like to keep this consuming class identity as a sign of success.

In a recent Hindustan Times news paper article with the headline “The many classes in the middle” the writer Rama Bijapurkar talks about a new class among the middle class, whose essential qualification is discontented consumerism or so to say aspiring consumerism – ready to consume above a threshold. The author says it is not a desperate group of people among the Indian middle class but it is a homogenous one culturally.

Peer led Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation center has new website www.naikiranindia.com

2011-09-29T07:02:00.000-07:00

Welcome To Nai Kiran

Download Broucher

Nai Kiran Society is a not for profit voluntary organization, established in the year 2001 with an objective of providing barrier free rehabilitation services for people living with problem of drug addiction ,education & health care for marginalized sections of the society especially children ,women and senior citizen. Nai Kiran is a Hindi word means New Ray.

Please visit www.naikiranindia.com

Dhoni Bhaji controversy exposes liquor companies surrogate ad campaign...Keep it up Dhoni ji Yes, you made it large..

2011-07-27T03:24:00.000-07:00

Suneel Vatsyayan conducted mentor cum training program for Dr.Roslee Ahmed Lecturer Counseling, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

2011-07-27T03:11:00.000-07:00

Suneel Vatsyayan conducted a personalized mentor cum training program for Dr.Roslee Ahmed Lecturer Counseling, University Teknologi Malaysia, has successfully participated in mentorship cum training program (19^th .20^th & 21^st July 2011) on drug addiction & sexual behaviour. The purposes of this program is giving theory and practical using the counseling approaches in handling client facing challenges like drug addiction and its related issues sexual behavior, relapse ,rehabilitation etc.. Dr.Roslee Ahmed also visited Peer led Nai Kiran De-addiction center Narela. Mr.Vatsyayan is a consultant and trainer to Bharat Bhushan and Naikiran Society.

Bharat Bhushan Nai Kiran ,Suneel Vatsyayan and Dr.Roslee (from left to right)

Bharat Bhushan peer leader and General Secretary OF Nai Kiran Society attended three month training program organised by NISD ,Ministry of Social Justice

2011-06-13T21:02:00.001-07:00

Naikiran Society for details please visit

Nada Acudetox Camp for elderly people of Mundka Village Delhi

2011-04-17T05:43:00.000-07:00

Nada India in collaboration with Nai Kiran Peer led program at Mundka organised successfully NADA Acudetox Camp for well-being . Dr.Vikram gave talk on health issues among elderly population living in urbanized villages of Delhi. Health check up was conducted by Dr.Vikram and Acudetox was given to more than fifteen senior citizens. Senior citizens also visited Nai Kiran Peer led De-addiction Center in Narela village.The purpose of the visit was community participation in treatment and rehabilitation of drug users from the village. All of them appreciated the efforts of Nai Kiran and Nada India in bringing back the smile on the faces of thousands drug users and their family members. All the elderly people shared their interest in volunteering for this cause in future too.

All is not well with for the aged as per TOI reports

......."Lack of awareness about human rights among the aged is one of the major reasons of ever-increasing cases of violation of the rights of the elderly. The study reveals that in the capital region about three-fourth of the respondents had never heard of human rights of the elderly. Only 24.3 per cent of the elderly were aware of their basic basic human rights....

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Alls-not-well-for-the-aged-Study/articleshow/7965173.cms

Senior Citizens of Mundka Village visited Peer led NaiKiran De-addiction Center Narela

2011-04-07T01:38:00.000-07:00

Twenty Senior Citizens of Mundka Village visited Peer led NaiKiran De-addiction Center Narela 23rd March. These senior citizens are undergoing Computer Training program organised by National Institute of Social Defence in collaboration with Nada India Foundation at Nai Kiran computer training center from 17th March-9th April 2011. Urbanized villages like Narela,Mundka Bakarwala ,Nazafgarh are few of the villages affected by use of legal drug like alcohol and smack etc. These senior citizens feel concerned about rise in use of alcohol and drugs and praised the efforts of Nai kiran in rehabilitating and organizing prevention efforts in this regards.

Mr.Suneel Vatsyayan, Chairperson of Nada India said that Pehchaan (Identity), a program of Nada India is an effort to help senior citizens and adolescents to build on their identity by engaging them in computer learning, radio club activities and community development process.

Mrs.Razia Central Jail Vadodara , we will come back...Nada India team

2011-03-31T21:32:00.000-07:00

Mrs.Razia Central Jail Vadodara

Thanks for your kind words ,We are impressed with your commitment , we will come back ,We also appreciate your concerns .Please do continue to use ear acupuncture among women and magnetic beads for children

All the best from Nada India team

Peer-led Rehabilitation: Advocating for an identity

2011-02-22T20:13:00.000-08:00

NADA ADS Training program at Nai Kiran Kiradi village Delhi

2011-01-14T22:21:00.000-08:00

NADA Ear acupuncture session in progress

Suneel Vatsyayan talked about importance of barrier free rehabilitation services

Ms.Helena speaking on this occasion

Bharat Bhushan peer leader speaking on this occassion

Feedback session

Dr.Ajay NADA ADS trainer conducted a training workshop for physicians attending peer led rehabilitation centers like Naikiran Narela ,Kirari in Delhi and Nai Disha and Dr.Rathi from Harayana Haryana .The workshop was oragnaised by Nai Kiran and Nada India . Ms.Helena Schouenborg NADA ADS from US. She also visited ear acupuncture based program in Delhi Prisons Tihar. A NADA ear acupuncture session was also oranised for patients and heads of peer led treatment centers.

Training of recovering addicts and their family members as peer support educators: An Indian experience

2010-12-15T21:24:00.000-08:00

Published in Contemporary Social Work
Vol. XVII. April, 2000
TRAINING OF RECOVERING ADDICTS AS PEER SUPPORT EDUCATORS : AN INDIAN EXPERIENCE
SUNEEL VATSYAYAN*
T.K. THOMAS**

Navjyoti or “New light” emerged in 1987 as a step towards crime prevention. The idea originated from its dynamic founder, the Magasaysay Award recipient Dr. (Mrs.) Kiran Bedi I.P.S. Navjoyti Delhi Police Foundation for correction,De-addiction and Rehabilitation , a non-governmental, non-profit and voluntary organisation is primarily engaged in the efforts to treat and rehabilitate addicts and offer comprehensive programmes for co-dependents (family members of the drug addicts). From make-shift drug treatment centres in six police stations in North Delhi till 1990, Navjyoti today has become a full fledged drug treatment and rehabilitation centre.

For Navjyoti it has been a decade of trials, challenges tears, smiles and above all learning.

The dedicated band of trained workers, counsellors, yoga experts, peer support counsellors and homoeopaths have learned from every situation, every patient, every treatment need, individual characteristics or addictive personality to evolve a “Psycho-Socio-Medico-Spiritual Model” which could be called a Navjyoti model of drug treatment and rehabilitation. We have incorporated in our programme the ancient Indian practices of yoga and naturopathy, meditation, homeopathy and the Therapeutic Community. We also draw much strength from the time tested institution of joint family, still every strong in India.

The UNDCP-DAP supported one year training of recovering addicts and co-dependents as peer support counsellors has been a fitting tribute to Navjyoti’s efforts to put broken lives back on rails or as the ‘The Times of India’ columnist wrote, to help them to come out “From Despair to Hope”. This programme incidentally has also coincided with the tenth anniversary of Navjyoti. A detailed account of this training programme is considered necessary and apt as it has been path breaking experience and could be of interest to all those who are involved in TC programmes in the Asian region.

The present project has its own linkage with the co-author’s (Suneel Vatsyayan) professional and academic background. He was a student of criminology and correctional administration. On completion of his Master’s, the first thing he did by way of de-schooling was to keep aside his books and try to be in the field as a layman and above all as a human being. He had the urge to know how the problems at the ground level could be handled with common sense solutions. He also wanted to try and understand the human dynamics of drug and alcohol addition. He also tried to explore the attributes/potentials they have rather than those they did not have. This gave him a vision to see an addict beyond the drug problem, as a human being. He found in them, after a period of recovery, a rare kind of commitment, dedication and transparency. These he thought are the right attributes for a good counselor/social worker. He could sense the potentialities of a peer support counselor in a recovering addict. All what they needed was a knowledge base and the necessary skills to enable them to function efficiently and objectivity. It is more than a mere coincidence that he attended the 3rd AFTC International Conference on the Development of Therapeutic Community (TC) Model in Asia in Bankok in 1997. This was during the planning of this one-year training. So here was an opportunity to put into action at least two of the programme, therefore was meant to train recovering drug dependents to acquire professional skills. Similarly it was decided that regular staff meetings would be made an inegral part of training in the spirit of TC. What we found common to the addicts and co-dependents was that all of them have passed through “the University of pain and sorrow.” So they were like fertile fields ready for sowing. They just needed a direction with concepts, exact scientific information and skills to become peer support counsellors. That this training programme has been a resounding success can be judged from the ultimate beneficiaries who have already been employed by agencies working in drug prevention and related fields.

The Training

The homogeneity of the trainee population was basically confined to their problem of addiction and commitment to Navjyoti. 15 out of the group of 20 who finally completed this one-year programme had been drug addicts and were men. The five ladies who completed the programme were co-dependents or family members of addicts. They included the wife and a sister of two trainees.

All the male members except one had completed their treatment and long term TC programme. The ladies who comprised the group had been members of the Capable Group, a self-help group of co-dependents.

Years of addiction and recovery period of the trainee population were also varied. Some had an addiction history of two, three or four years to a decade. There were a few who were drug free for over three years and others for an year or more. Son of one of the co-dependents is still an addict having gone through relapse a number of times.

Economic background of the trainees too was diverse. Some have embraced penury on account of addication while some others have enough for sustenance.

Such heterogeneity among the population was the biggest challenge in the planning and execution of this novel training programme, especially in the area of curriculum development.

Reasons for joining the UNDCP Training:

(a) For recovery, (b) To become self-dependent, (c) To learn how to cope with the problem of drugs, (d) To receive training in counselling, (e) For personal growth, (f) To help other addicts, (g) Get employed as social worker in any Non-Govt. or Govt. Organisation, (h) Stipend to support family as well as getting experience, (i) Become a counsellor, (j) To add to qualification, (k) Personal growth and (l) Enhance professional skills.

Expectations at the time of joining:

(a) Gain knowledge in the area of drug de-addiction, (b) To become self-dependent, (c) Become a good counsellor, (d) Personality development, (e) Earn money, (f) For change in behaviour, (g) For handling responsibility effectively and sincerely and (h) To become an effective social worker.

Brief Introduction to the Training Programme

Twenty recovering addicts and five co-dependents were given training in three phases viz. Pre-training for 3 months, training and developing Module for 6 months and post-training for 3 months.

After recruiting the staff needed for the project, screening and enrolment of the trainees were undertaken at the beginning of the first phase. This phase included sharing objectives of the training, exploration of the trainees’ personal traits, needs etc., needs/problems assessment, group building and assessment of training needs. During this phase of the programme, besides emphasis on imparting social development skills, the trainees had close interaction and were building relationship. Love, Care and Concern were the watchwords. Most of the male trainees being members of the Navjyoti TC programme were trained to live in a family like situation where everyone shared responsibilities. Finally there was a screening and after the screening fifteen recovering addicts were chosen out of the twenty who were initially in the programme. The five codependents were members of the Navjyoti Capable Group. The agency supervisors meeting was held to finalise the placement of the trainees for orientation and for assessment of potentiality at the work situation during pre-training. In fact such agency supervisors meetings were a regular feature. The trainees were then placed under the personal supervision of the respective supervisors.

In the second phase of intensive training the beneficiaries were identified and groups were formed. During this phase group discussions, educative and informative classes, workshops, awareness programmes, family meetings, home visits etc. were conducted.

In the final phase, the trainees with the skills gained during the training organised awareness programmes, home visits, counselling sessions and were placed in various other organizations for ‘on the job training.’

The Training Methodology

Various adult training techniques were adopted keeping in view the special needs and limitations of the recovering addicts and co-dependents. The traditional lecture method was used depending on the type and nature of the subject. Efforts were however made to make these “Talk” sessions as effective as possible. Concerning certain specific learning situations and the objectives they were aiming for role plays and simulation techniques were adopted. For example, in counselling training, role play was adopted and during the workshop on first aid simulation techniques were used.

For reinforcement of class learning, individual work (writing reflections), small group and project work (visit to perfect Health Mela), class projects (writing Letter to Oneself on Wastage of time) exhibitions (Navjyoti’s 10th anniversary function), surveys and visits (home visits to identify drug addicts and to motivate them to remain drug free) were organised. The teaching aids used during the sessions included black board, pictorial aids, tape recorders, slide projectors, VCR, films, etc.

Excerpts from Trainees, Evaluation of the Programme

In order to gauge the effectiveness of the training programme, the method adopted was to interview each trainee and get feed back from him. This evaluation was done with three objectives in mind:

i. To improve the performance of the facilitators or trainers to be better in future.

ii. To plan new strategies, better curriculum, and to fine tune the methodology applied with future programmes in view.

iii. To learn from strengths and weaknesses in the area of practice.

All the trainees were personally interviewed for a first hand evaluation on the effectiveness of the training. This was done in two stages viz. At the mid course mark and on completion of the programmes. To be more precise these are totally untutored and but for the language and grammer these evaluations by individual trainees are authentic and are their own reactions. The contents and the lengths of each piece depend on what actually individual trainee had said or could recall. The following are excerpts from what the tainees expressed as feed back.

Satya Mohan

After his recovery he has been counselling drug addicts but feels he is not fully equipped to do it. Now it is “Jyada clear” (more clear) to him. The practical and lecture sessions on counselling have helped him in knowing about counselling in a more systematic manner with the right terminology and skills.

Rishipal

On the cognitive side he feels that there is much better inputs to be used as a counsellor. He feels that sessions on “Classification of Drug” or “Children of addicts,” increased his knowledge of these basic issues. Besides it has also made a personal impact of him. “Main Phale apni biwi ko marta tha……Mera bachha darke rahta tha…..Kabhi mere gode mein nahi aata tha….” (I used to beat my wife….. My child was scared of me and never sat in my lap”). Now, after this training programme things are different. His child is no longer scared of him. He speaks to his child affectionately.

Roshan Lal

Sessions on counselling have given Roshan Lal the much needed skills and information. As one who undertakes home visits of drug addicts and recovering addicts, he is now confident of handling his clients and knows how to counsel family members. He picked up the necessary and information during the session on the concept of addiction as a family disease.

Dayanand

Being a recovering addict, Dayanand knew from personal experience that addiction is a family disease. But after attending the training he received new information and could view the issue from a new perspective. He knows that co-dependents also have same feelings of anger, irritation, frustration and neglect and unless this is understood a counsellor cannot help the family of an addict.

Karamveer

The workshop was found to be very useful by Karamveer as it helped him in sharpening or improving his communication skills especially his listening skills. Time management session was an eye opener as he wrote a letter himself on how he wastes his own time and time of others. The session on leadership qualities and the job of the facilitator gave him openness and ability to have politeness in his dealings.

Ishwar

The session on accounts was of practical relevance as he works in an organizational structure. Rules and regulations as far as expenses incurred are concerned, how to accept donations, prepare vouchers, etc. were explained during this session, says Ishwar.

Brij Mohan

During his treatment and T.C. programme days in Navjyoti, Brijmohan was exposed to Yoga and had regularly taken part in yogic exercise. But the theory and practical sessions on Yoga gave him an opportunity to know more about exercises and asanas as therapeutic components in drug treatment and rehabilitation.

Arunesh Kaushik

By attending the workshop he feels that his skills have been sharpened in the areas of communication, organisational skills and leadership qualities. Time management was another aspect which needed special attention as far as recovering addicts are converned. The workshop helped him in knowing the value of time and importance of being punctual.

Yameen

Yameen at the end of the training has realised that a counsellor is an all rounder who should be in a position to handle any situation. The training programme according to him has given him better awareness, improved skills self-confidence and enhanced self-esteem. He is thankful to the Japanese kids who missed a meal to fund this project through the UNDCP and feels has made good use of it. Yameen has also realised after the training that counselling skill can be used in situations other than the problem of addiction.

Anuj

The connection between drug addiction and AIDS was made clear to Anju during the session on the topic by resource from the Parivar Seva Sansthan. He does come across an occasional intravenous drug user and he now has the knowledge to tell such people about the dangers of sharing contaminated needles. He has also realised that there is need to talk about AIDS.

Narendra Dava

Dave can recall the sessions on counselling. He detailed some of the qualities of a good counsellor. According to him a counsellor should be dressed neatly but modestly, always polite and humble. This would make his clients accept him. He has also realised that he should treat his patients with respect and dignity. The counsellor should be trustworthy and encourage the patients, Dave says.

Harinder Puri

As a member of the Navjyoti Therapeutic Community he has been head of the kitchen department and has maintained kitchen accounts. But after attending the sessions on Accounts by Narendra Pal Singh Kalra he has learnt how to maintain accounts in a more systematic way.

Lessons learned from the Training Experience

1. That recovering addicts are often under-estimated and everyone views them with prejudices and preconceived notions. In fact some of the experts who came in as resource persons initially had apprehensions about the efficacy of any training in cognitive skills. After dealing with the trainees such people however relized that given the right opportunities, they are second to none and at times even more motivated learners than the so called normal people.

2. The rich experience gained in developing the curriculum and resultant training module that has been prepared can be an effective model for implementation by the government and non-government organizations working not just in the field of drug prevention but also in other fields.

* Former, Director, Navjyoti, Delhi Police Foundation for Correction, De-addiction & Rehabilitation .

** Former Honorary Consultant, Navjyoti, Delhi Police Foundation for Correction, De-addiction & Rehabilitation .

Arpan: Leading peers towards recovery

2010-12-14T07:16:00.000-08:00

Nai Kiran peer led rehabilitation center at Narela celebrated its 9th anniversary

2010-12-13T01:59:00.000-08:00

Suneel Vatsyayan presided over the function

District Welfare officer Delhi Govt. was honored on this occasion

Family members of addicts and and community leaders participated
in the discussion and shared their views

Recovery from drug addiction: Peer action network for trauma-related to drugs, HIV/AIDS, violence and crime

2010-12-07T21:14:00.000-08:00

Peer Action Network for trauma-related to drugs, HIV/AIDS, violence and crime

Drug abuse has been prevalent in our society for long. Excessive usage of drugs leads to addiction and increased dependency on them, apart from causing physical ailments. The extent and usage of drugs spans from rural population to the urban, from defence to prison population and from adolescents to the aged. Drug consumers range demographically, socially, economically and in gender as well.

In spite of various awareness programmes by Govt. and NGOs indicating the repercussions on an individual and society, drug abuse continues to plague our society as a disease and the path to recovery for the addicted is full of hurdles. Relapse is a step which no one can evade during the recovery process.

For any recovering person, motivation and guidance are the two major pre-requisites. And who other than peer group can fulfil this requirement more effectively and efficiently.

Peer based initiatives

It is so because on a whole, belonging to the same age group, background, culture and/or social status, individuals easily confide in their peers. This leads to the developing of strong bonds with each other as the confidence and trust enables an individual to share all his/her thoughts, feelings, anxieties and ambitions. Apart from this, having faced a similar situation as that of his/her peers, everyone is able to empathise easily and provide motivation that helps in bringing about the change. With these thoughts in mind, Nada India Foundation initiated ARPAN (Association of Recovering Peer Action Network). ARPAN project is an action network of peer-based initiative for recovering people from disability and trauma related to drugs, HIV/AIDS, violence and crime. The project was nurtured to promote peer support and facilitate the setting up of minimum standards of care for those who want to organise rehabilitation services. The word ARPAN in Sanskrit means to present or to offer in dedication. Accordingly, Nada India offers its efforts for the promotion of health, education and productivity aiming at a drug free life.

As Mr. S. Vatsyayan, Chairman, Nada India, says, “I have seen these people grow like a child and with time accept the fact that success and failure are a part of life and there is somebody for them who has given them a right to fail. Each day of recovery brought to them confidence and helped them come out of the pain.”

Recovery process

The seeds of ARPAN were sown as early as 2000 when some of the recovering addicts/peer counsellors/educators, as part of Guru Shishya parmpara became part of drug treatment and rehabilitation process and later on established rehabilitation centres for their fellow members.

The idea was developed at Nada, keeping in mind the fact that when a person passes through a deep sense of pain, he/she tends to find an answer to problems in the recovery process of a peer. With the nurturing of ARPAN, various rehabilitation centres like Mukti, Nai Disha, Nai Kiran, Aman, Ujjala, Shreya, Prithvi Durga Foundation, Parivertan and many more mushroomed in different parts of Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Following the12-step programme along with peer based approach for recovery, these centres engage the inmates in yoga, medical care and counselling sessions to provide them an enabling environment for change.

Mr. Ashwini of Prithvi Durga Foundation and a recovering person himself says, “Peer led intervention plays an important role in the recovery process.” According to the need assessment survey by Nada, these centres need accreditation, recognition and technical inputs to build on the their identities.

Peer leaders attended one month training course on "Drug Abuse Prevention" organised by NISD & RRTC North

2010-12-06T00:45:00.000-08:00

Mr.Bharat Bhushan ,Mr.Balwan and Sunil attended One month training course on "Drug Abuse Prevention" organised by Regional Resource &Training Center North, in partnership with National Institute of Social Defence, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India from 19th Oct. to 17th Nov., 2010 at SPYM Centre, New Delhi.Dr.Ajay Vats,Ms.Pallavi and Suneel Vatsyayan of Nada India delivered an interactive session and demonstration on Barrier Free Services and use of peer education and ear acupuncture in drug treatment and rehabilitation.They also listed the problems and challenges faced by them during running peer led rehabilitation of drug drug addiction in Delhi and Haryana.

This training course was to enhance the capacity of peer led service providers of NGOs working in the area of drug demand reduction in order to enable them to implement the program in efficient and effective manner.

Bharat Bhushan, peer leader of Nai Kiran was elected as General Secretary of the Haryana Peer-led NGO Network.

2010-12-03T23:23:00.000-08:00

Over 25 peer led de-addiction centres spread over the length and breadth of Haryana met in Rohtak on Wednesday, 30th June, 2010 and resovled to work toghther to improve treatment and long term recovery of people affected by drug and alcohol addiction. The Haryana NGO Network for Peer Led Drug & Alcohol Prevention has 43 members. Peer Led initiatives are popular all over the world in addressing problems like addiction. The fundamental concept behind it is that the management of rehabilitation of addicts is done by recovering drug & alcohol addicts.It has been accepted by various countries and international agencies that the effectiveness of counseling by peers or those who have gone through the similar regiours and pain of addiction to better suited to change other addicts. Mr.Satyamohan of Nai Disha was elected as President and Mr.Bharat Bhushan of NaiKiran De-addiction center as founding member & General Secretary of the Network.

Network meeting further resolved to work toghter as a team to ensure that the stanadard of care provided in each one of the member de-addiction centre is in tune withthe guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The members of the Network proudly announced that hundereds of addicts have been benefited by the services rendred by the various peer led de addiction centres in Haryana.

The Network also decided that regular consultations and training programs will be organised by Nada India Foundation to ensure more effective services for those who seek De-addiction and rehabilitation services. Now the Network is registered under Society Registration Act 1860 with Registrar of Society Haryana. Nada India has provided inputs in aspects related to setting the goals, team building, legal issues and network structure etc. Prof. TK.Thomas and Prof. Bawa Director Law Vivekanad Institute of Vocational Studies under I.P. University and Suneel Vatsyayan conducted training session on Team building and legal issues.