Rehab centre residents miss family during Raya

KUALA LUMPUR: The one thing that 36-year-old Bob, a resident of the Narcotic Addiction Rehabilitation Centre in Dengkil, misses most during Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations is not ketupat, rendang, or lemang, but a fried rice dish made by his ex-wife.

The last time Bob (not his real name) tasted the dish was before he was arrested by the National Anti-Drugs Agency on the seventh day of Hari Raya last year, due to the drug habit he developed when he was 17.

“Although we just got divorced a month ago, our relationship is still good. I love her cooking. Her fried rice dish is tastier than my mother’s. Even though it is a simple dish, I love to have it daily, including during Aidilfitri,” he said, adding that it was his all-time favourite dish.

Having stayed at the centre for 11 months, Bob also expressed longing to see his two daughters, aged six and seven.

Voicing the same sentiment, 50-yearold Kak Ida (not her real name) expressed hope to meet and spend time with all her family members, including her four children.

“I miss being together and making jam tarts with them. Even though I make cookies with other residents, the feeling isn’t the same,” she said, adding that she had voluntarily entered rehabilitation last year determined to change her life. She considers herself lucky that her family still accepts her knowing that she had been a drug addict for 30 years.

Another resident, who wished to be known only as Aman, 27, admitted that he missed his family and hoped that he could ask his mother for forgiveness this Aidilfitri.

However, till today, Aman has not had the opportunity to meet his mother since he was caught by the authorities and brought to the centre 11 months ago.

“When I was an addict, I lost my temper easily, especially when reprimanded. Even my mother became a target of my anger”. – Bernama