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Youths fail rehab programs

SOME young street dwellers who were taken into State care for rehabilitation have failed under the program because they were hooked on drugs that were stronger than glue.

Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran said the youths went on to influence others who were also in the rehab programs.

“I think at that time we did not understand it as much because it meant talking to the children and building trust and working with the organisations that have built trust with the children,” said Ms Kiran.

“Some of the organisations that have been working

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with these children are very frustrated. “They need support. “We have been talking with them almost on a weekly basis to try and understand what to do.

“And we have realised pretty quickly some of the children who were put in mainstream training and jobs were failing badly and were influencing others to do the same.”

Ms Kiran said trying to get the young drug users properly rehabilitated would take some time.

“You realise that overnight you cannot put up a drug rehab centre but there is a lot of work happening behind the scenes. We are working with various partners to find provisions.

“It is a huge problem that we are dealing with.

“I have had continuous calls from people who say ‘we are desperate for drug rehab centres’.

“Even the elite people who are well-to-do are struggling with their children and their behaviour using drugs.

“They need a space to be able to support their children but also even adults do not know how to deal with it where some of their children are hooked.”

She said the ministry was working quietly behind the scenes to set up a facility for addicts.