Power House

Power House konnte wir bei unserem letzten Besuch aus zeitlichen Gründen leider nicht besuchen. Aber wir hatten ein ausführliches Gespräch mit dem Leiter dieser Einrichtung, Mr. Nelson Fernando, der uns von einigen Erfolgen mit der Arbeit von Drogenabhängigen berichten konnte. Auch Power House hat allerdings das Problem des potentiellen Rückfalls in die Drogenabhängigkeit, wenn die Patienten in ihr altes Milieu zurückkehren.

Auszüge aus einer Informationsschrift:

Power House is an outreach of Community Concern. Since the outreach began in 1988, they have sought to help "loose the chains" of drug addiction. Power House opened in October 1989 in Borelesgamuwa. In October 1994, Power House moved to their permanent location in Bandaragama. The programme is completely voluntary, based on the belief that only God can offer a new life.
A minimum stay in the programme is six months. All participants have the option to stay longer and become involved in the various aspects of PH. During the initial six month programme, each would be challenged to improve various areas of his life, including physical rehabillitation, emotional problems, spirituel health and family relationships.

Pre Stage One
Counselling and prayer are offered to those desiring to be free from drug addiction at evening meetings. People find out about the success of the programme through outreach workers, friends, and former addicts who have been healed. (...)

Stage One
In this six month residential programme, progress depends on the resident's attitude and behaviour in PH. It involves a 10 day detoxification period without any medication. At this time, an older brother or helper will be with the new brother 24 hours a day to attends his needs.
Highly disciplined, stage one includes a strict daily programme involving devotional life, counselling, classes, recreation, and service to others. During the six months, no resident can go out unaccompanied. Families are encouraged to visit after three months. As the brother begins to discipline himself, surveillance is relaxed. The brother is helped to adjust back to society and to his family, if he has one.

Stage Two
After completing his six month stay, a brother now begins to help other addicts at the outreach meeting, and new brothers as they enter PH. Some of the brothers prepare for employment and choose to re-enter society.