Drug rehab internees get holiday furlough

Twenty-three people being held in compulsory rehabilitation centers in Shanghai, to overcome drug habits, became the first group in the city to be released for family reunions during the holiday.

They have been furloughed from the centers from Sunday to Tuesday, the three-day International Workers’ Day national holiday, and were accompanied home by their families.

First, however, they had to sign letters of commitment that they will use the time only for visiting family and will stay away from any form of illegal activity, said Lyu Zhaohui, director of the Shanghai Gaojing Compulsory Rehabilitation Center.

“It is a novel attempt combining strict law enforcement and positive encouragement to elevate their self-confidence of eventually freeing themselves from drug abuse. It will also help mend their relations with family,” Lyu said.

“Moreover, it’s a therapy of exposure,” he said. “They will finally return to society, and this short period in which they can make free choices can help improve their ability to resist drugs.”

The Ministry of Justice released a document at the start of the year suggesting the incentive of family reunions for drug rehab center residents with good records and progress in kicking drugs. A monthly family member visit to the centers has always been guaranteed to internees.

Lyu said after the document was released, some internees of the centers in other provinces were allowed to make home visits for several days, but this is the first time in China that more than 20 people in a provincial-level region were released for multiday family visits.

“We give the opportunity to those who have stayed in the centers for at least a year, are determined to quit drugs and have family members able to monitor their behavior when they are away from the centers,” Lyu said.

In the letter of commitment, they agree that they will not use drugs or contact any drug addict during the three days; they will not leave Shanghai; they will wear a wristband with GPS tracking at all times and call the police officer in charge at the rehab center twice a day to report their schedule; and they will not be involved in any activity related to gambling or prostitution.

Shi Jie, deputy director of Peking University’s National Institute on Drug Dependence, said the practice is worth extending to all drug rehabilitation centers.

“The love and care during family reunions will be an encouragement for them to stay away from drugs,” she said.