Santulan, a de-addiction center started by Mr. Dwijen Smart, is gaining popularity for two reasons; because it’s one of its first kind, and because many of the city’s youth have finally found a place that can cure them. It’s one of its first kind because it treats its patients free of cost. Yes, the treatment is completely free. Since June, when it first started functioning, it has provided free treatment to 80 people; out of which 11 people have stayed back and worked from the Santulan headquarters. These 11 are today independent, sober and earning. Mr. Indrajit Deshmukh, Project Co-ordinator at Santulan, takes us through a small tour.
Santulan has a three-fold program for everyone. They first provide a 15-day in-house detox program that includes psychotherapy, art and yoga therapy, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and emotional freedom techniques (EFT). It also includes medical treatment comprising medicines prescribed by psychiatrists. After this, they provide a 60-90 day vocational training wherein the members are taught skills such as automobile repair, cell phone and computer hardware repair. The third part includes finding them a job. Santulan has successfully tied up with a few CSR units.
There were a few members who didn’t yet feel comfortable to start working, after being treated as addicts for so long. For these people, Santulan started a tiffin-supply unit. The members cook at the Santulan headquarters, pack and supply the tiffins, and maintain the accounts as well. Santulan is looking for young volunteers; it’s calling out to the youth. Mr. Dwijen Smart says this will have two positive effects: the youth will be aware in totality about drug addictions, and will help people understand that addiction is an illness, and not a taboo.
Susmeeta Katarki and Pallavi Bhargude, are two psychiatrists who visit Santulan everyday to counsel the in-house members. They have been with Santulan right from the start, and are an important part of its growth. They provide this counseling for free, every single day. Thrice a week, the members attend workshops and group meetings of famous groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) , and Narcotics Anonymous (NA). This helps them share their stories, with people who know what it was to be an addict. They learn new lessons every day.
Up Front and Personal with the Addicts that were:
Javed: Javed started his act with drugs at a (very) young age of 15. After the death of his parents, he started with drugs along with a few other friends. He says the drugs were provided free of cost in Bombay. Once the boys were addicted, they would go repeatedly to the dealers, and this time, they were charged. A new way of getting people addicted. First he had the drug in cigarettes, and then replaced it with Cadbury paper. He sold his home, business and automobile in Gujarat. He left his wife and children, and came back to Bombay to do drugs. He has given up drugs 3-4 times, and has relapsed every time. He started stealing, for the drugs to keep coming. He has been to Arthur Jail, Yerawada and Nasik Jail. He was thrown out of a running train, after he was caught stealing. He fell into the Wasai Khadi, lost a finger, and yet came out swimming, and did more drugs. He lived on the footpath with a fractured leg. This was his life for the longest time. He came to Santulan, took the treatment, and is sober since June. He now runs a tiffin supply chain. He is on talking terms with his family again. He is now a respected human, finally accepted by society.
Balaji Karde: An alcoholic for 12 years, Balaji had lost hopes of ever quitting his drinks. He required a glass every morning, as and when he woke up. He was only an alcoholic and never did drugs. He worked as a tailor, earned money, and them on more drinking. Rehabilitation has helped him a lot. He has been sober since his treatment. He has been provided with a stitching machine by the Santulan team. He is working as a tailor again now. Not only working, he is also teaching. Three women come to him for classes. Bags of all types made by this team are put up on sale. The proceeds go in further treatment and counseling.
After being sober, these men have successfully started and run, a tiffin supply business, a garment stitching business, and also a paper bag making business. They make paper bags and sell them to restaurants. They have already tied-up with a few restaurants. An awareness program was also held for the railway police. Two policemen took treatment at Santulan for 15 days, and are now sober. They were addicted to only alcohol. Corporate offices can also ask help from Santulan for free workshops. The team is now providing capacity building to young boys at the Juvenile home in Yerawada.
The youth today, needs to learn from these experiences. Drugs are everywhere, ready to trap. They are sold for free, but take lives in numbers. Not everyone gets a second chance, the stakes are way too high. Santulan calls out to the youth; to come help, to come understand and to spread awareness in this age slot. After all, prevention would always be better than cure. If anyone wants to enroll for this program, feel free to contact Mr. Dwijen Smart (+919404963335), or Mr. Indrajit Deshmuk (+919766000779). At the moment, Santulan is organizing a free de-addiction camp for female addicts, and are looking for volunteers to oversee the project.
