Chachoengsao: The Lom Rak Plaeng Yao community is redefining rehabilitation by transforming drug users into employed individuals, utilizing the community as a nurturing environment for those undergoing drug rehabilitation. This initiative aims to reduce relapse rates and create a supportive space for individuals who have completed rehabilitation to reintegrate into society.
According to Thai News Agency, the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (THPF) recently conducted a site visit at Plaeng Yao Sub-district Health Promotion Hospital in Chachoengsao Province. This visit was aimed at monitoring the progress of the model district and the expansion of the Community-Based Drug Prevention and Resolution (CBTx) project. Collaborating with the Community Organization Development Institute (CODI), the hospital serves as the main hub, working alongside government agencies, security forces, police, and local community leaders.
Ms. Sukanya Suwanmanirat, a Senior Planning Officer at THPF, emphasized the project's second-year focus on fostering innovations and working mechanisms that empower communities. "We want to see community-based innovation, particularly processes where community leaders can motivate individuals with drug addiction issues to seek treatment," she stated. The project aims to extract lessons learned from different areas to develop procedures that can be disseminated and applied elsewhere.
The 'Community-Based Rehabilitation' program is not merely a drug rehabilitation process but an effort to change societal perceptions. It seeks to reframe drug users as individuals capable of leading productive lives if given the opportunity. The Plaeng Yao area has demonstrated strong collaboration between the government, private sector, and THPF, supporting individuals to find employment and reintegrate into society.
Ms. Chanthra Srisurak from Plaeng Yao District revealed that the district's population of over 52,000 faces significant challenges related to drug addiction, prompting the implementation of the "Community-Based Drug Prevention and Control" project. The initiative integrates efforts from various networks to organize preventative activities in communities and educational institutions.
Mr. Prathee Thittham, Director of the Plaeng Yao Sub-district Health Promotion Center, discussed the community-based rehabilitation program in Village 5, Talat Bang Bo Subdistrict. In collaboration with the community and local partners, the program has rehabilitated twelve individuals using the Modify Matrix program. This approach includes mindfulness training, home visits, and vocational training. A recent amphetamine test showed a significant decrease in positive results, highlighting a positive trend in behavioral change.
Community representatives emphasize the importance of creating employment opportunities for those undergoing rehabilitation. Initiatives include crafting funeral flowers and wreaths, which can be sold or donated to local temples. This process aims to provide financial stability and reduce the risk of relapse.
Participants like "Mr. C" and "Mr. Dee" shared their personal journeys of transformation. Mr. C, who once used drugs while working as a musician, now pursues art and painting, crediting the community's support and acceptance for his success. Mr. Dee, who turned to methamphetamine after a conviction and subsequent accident, found new purpose through vocational training in making funeral wreaths. Both individuals highlight the significance of community support in their recovery.
The efforts of the Lom Rak Plaeng Yao community demonstrate a promising model for drug rehabilitation and societal reintegration, offering hope and opportunities for individuals to rebuild their lives.