Symposium on substance users' rehabilitation
by Sarath Malalasekera
The Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Programme (CPDAP) in collaboration
with the Asian Federation of Therapeutic Communities and the Mithuru
Mithuru Movement, with financial assistance from the Bureau of
International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, US Department of
State will be hosting the joint sixth Asian Federation of Therapeutic
Communities (AFTC) and second Asian Recovery Symposium (ARS) from May 29
to June 3, 2005 in Colombo.
The first-ever gathering of its kind, the CPDAP expects this
conference to draw over 200 participants from all over Asia, including
policy makers, treatment practitioners, substance abuse counsellors,
criminal justice officials, religious leaders, recovering persons,
co-dependents and others involved and interested in helping to create
drug-free communities, said Tay Bian How of the Colombo Plan
Secretariat.
The CPDAP is attuned to the recent thirst for spirituality in Asia
following the devastating tsunami. In recognition of this and in
appreciation of the spiritual dimension in recovery, this unprecedented
event will be themed- "Beyond Treatment and Rehabilitation, Achieving
Maturity in Recovery through Faith."
Of particular note in the programme will be the sessions devoted to
issues like- Recovery, A spiritual Journey, Achieving Maturity in
Recovery through spirituality, What Works entreatment and
rehabilitation, Considerations for Policy Formulation, Living with a
Recovering Person, Recreation family Harmony and Sharing of Therapeutic
Communities Practices in Asia, Challenges and Future Directions.
In addition, four concurrent skills based workshops will enable the
participants to discuss some of the pressing concerns entreatment and
rehabilitation, including, Family Therapy, Twelve Steps, Minimum
standards in drug Treatment and rehabilitation and Life Skills in
Relapse Prevention.
In addition, the conference will also include arange of recreational
activities, including visits to Sri Lanka's historic heritage sites, Tay
Bian How said.
The combination of these two overwhelmingly successful programmes is
a promise of great heights to be reached this summer in Colombo.
A unique and unprecedented combination not to be missed, this
programme will be a celebration of the victory of those who have changed
their lives for the better by breaking the cycle of addiction, as well
as a public challenge to the stigma of addiction.
For further information and registration details contact- Tay Bian
How, Drug Advisory Programme, The Colombo Plan Secretariat, BoC Merchant
Tower, St. Michael's Road, Colombo 3 or Ven. K. Bodhananda, Director
Mithuru Mithuru Movement, Centre for drug Rehabilitation Human Values
Development, Rilhena, Pelmadulla. |