Above: YDF organizes a bicycle rally to generate awareness on the issue and problems facing individuals suffering from drug and alcohol abuse

Major changes are taking place in Bhutan. Rising rates of rural-urban migration have brought many young people off the land and into the cities, accelerating the breakdown of the extended family support system. In urban areas of Bhutan, young people must fend for themselves and they often experience alienation. Exposure to television, the Internet, and pop culture’s influence can sometimes lead to self-doubts or self-destructive behavior. Whereas in the past, many youth never left their provinces, youth today are more mobile, and as a result, exposed to drugs and HIV/AIDS.

YDF is the only non-governmental agency working tirelessly to address the problems and needs of vulnerable youth inflicted with drug and alcohol addiction. Through various services such asdrop in center for counseling and two treatment and rehabilitation centers for men and women in the capital city of Thimphu. YDF has begun to provide hope to an, unfortunately, growing segment of the young population abusing drugs and alcohol. YDF plans to expand such services to other parts of the country with higher incidences of addiction and abuse as discovered during the national baseline survey conducted by the Bhutan Narcotics Control Agency in 2009. Another major project in the near future will be to build a well planned rehab with a greater capacity to help individuals suffering from alcohol and drug abuse.

The overall goal of the project is to reduce alcohol/drug abuse among the youth and its impact in Bhutan. In addition, the project will reduce the harmful and adverse consequences of drug and alcohol abuse – for example, the medical and psychological complications of drug/alcohol abuse; social dysfunction of the concerned individuals; criminal or unlawful behavior associated with drug/alcohol abuse through preventive and curative programs.

Objectives

• to create awareness that alcohol and chemical dependency can be treated;
• to reach out to the alcohol and/or drug dependent youth and their families;
• to provide support for youth addicted to drugs and alcohol;
• to motivate treatment and rehabilitation for substance dependent persons

How you can help

Detoxification

Drug or alcohol detoxification is a period at the beginning of treatment to rid the body of toxin accumulated by the user. Currently, this service is sought from the Psychiatry ward at the national referral hospital in Thimphu. After the detoxification they are sent to the rehabilitation centre.

The Nazhoen Pelri-Rehabilitation Centre will receive detoxification or medical support from the Psyahiatric Ward in Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital in Thimphu. The patients are in a lot of pain and require special attention during this process and also have to go through other medical tests such as blood and chest X ray, liver examination etc. The detoxification period lasts for about three to seven days depending on the patients.

Drop In Centre

The Drop In Centre for drug and alcohol dependence is a service established by the Bhutan Youth Development Fund to help youth recover from drug and alcohol dependence. The DIC focuses on reaching out to drug users and providing Drop In services. It acts as a conduit between the clients and the treatment and rehab centres. YDF has established two Drop – In – Centres in Bhutan, one in Thimphu and the other in Bumthang.

Services available are:

• Family sessions and counselling
• Educative sessions
• Group discussions
• Counselling class (one-one-on and group)
• Self help groups: Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Alcohol Anonymous (AA) meetings
• Outreach programme: DIC staff reach out to unreached drug/alcohol users in the community
• Meditation class: every Tuesday clients attend meditation classes as part of psycho social therapy
• Dharma-based classes
• Indoor facilities and IEC materials
• Out-door activities: Arranging treks/hikes, picnics, cycling
• Games and Sports: tied up closely with the Nazhoen Pelri Sports division
• Vocational and Life Skill Programmes

Contact Us: DIC, Thimphu (Near taxi parking, housed inside the HISC), Helpline: +975-02-333303/17930108/17912127

Contact Us: DIC, Bumthang, Helplines: 03-631627/17544455/17609296

How you can help