Six women are currently in treatment at the recently-opened women’s drug rehabilitation centre at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, head of the centre, Clarence Young says.
Speaking to Stabroek News yesterday, Young, who is the head of the Phoenix Recovery Programme, a rehabilitation centre for men located in Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara, said that they commenced treatment three weeks ago. During that period the women went through what is known as ‘de-toxing’ and they are now involved in other sessions aimed at preparing them to re-enter society without drugs.
He said that they have clients from as far as West Coast Demerara and have had one applicant from Bartica but that woman was not admitted because she was not “suitable.” Asked to expand on the woman’s unsuitability, Young would only say that the woman “had other issues.”
He said as the women’s programme is up and running it would now be working simultaneously with the men’s programme in Sparendaam, utilizing the help of a number of individuals who have dropped in to volunteer their services.
The centre was opened last month at a cost of $20M, with funding from the US State Department’s International Narcotics Legal Affairs Unit (INL) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS).
Young told this newspaper that they had 15 applicants and while some were not suitable for the programme, others were just not ready even though their family members were seeking to have them admitted. He said one woman absconded and there was another who was accepted but she never reported to the centre.
He said, however, should the women return to the centre they would be admitted.
Unsuitability
Explaining the unsuitability of some of the women, Young said that some of them would have other disorders in addition to drug addiction such as mental problems. Depending on the severity of the mental problem it is recommended that treatment be sought for that first.
He explained that the centre is not equipped to treat mental problems but after the person has sought treatment for the mental problem and following an update from the doctor they could have simultaneous treatment for both illnesses.
$50,000 per month
The duration of the treatment programme for the women is six months at a cost of $50,000 per month and Young is appealing to individuals and companies to sponsor women so that they can get the requisite treatment. Donations can be made either in “cash or kind.”
He said further that while in Guyanese terms the treatment may be considered “expensive” it needs to be noted that the inmates are provided with room and boarding and therapy.
Young said that they would be accepting inmates every three weeks but they would want to see the progress of the existing clients before accepting a new batch.
Meanwhile, Young disclosed that with the help of the Ministry of Health the two centres will now be visited periodically by a team of medical practitioners who would examine and treat inmates.
The head of the centre is appealing to those persons or businesses that are willing to assist in the sponsorship of an inmate or to make any donations to email prpsarx@yahoo. com or telephone 220-6825 and 623-1437.
He said one individual has already sponsored an inmate and he is also grateful for assistance received from Food for the Poor, Guyana Beverages Company, Sterling Products and City Mall.
