New rehab centre joins war on drug and alcohol abuse
A new rehabilitation centre has opened its doors to boost the national fight against drug and alcohol abuse.
Based at La Rosière, the Centre d’Acceuil de La Rosière (CAR) – which is run under the patronage of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Port Victoria with the theme En nouvo lavi – provides residential rehabilitation, care and counselling to drug and alcohol addicts.
Set up with the help of José Ah Choon and Martial Bazerque from the Centre d'Accueil de Terre Rouge in Mauritius, the programme used at the CAR has been tested in other countries with excellent results.
The CAR board of governors is headed by Bishop Denis Wiehe, who is the executive chairman and director, while Denis Payette is secretary and legal adviser.
Meriline Mancienne is the treasurer and Benjamin Vel liaises with the Drug and Alcohol Council and the government. Alice Vivien is counsellor and facilitator, while Mr Ah Choon is the special consultant. Other board members are Jocelyne Florentine, Ravinia Jean, Viral Dhanjee and Mary-Anne Lozé.
The new centre was inaugurated last Friday by the bishop in the presence of sponsors, members of the board of governors and relatives of the clients. The event coincided with the end of the second phase of rehabilitation completed by five male clients.
Addressing those present, Bishop Denis said the clients will now need support and encouragement to complete the next phase of the programme – their reintegration into society – which he described as challenging.
He added that although the CAR brings a real feeling of accomplishment, this is somewhat dampened by a look at the reality of the spread of substance abuse and addiction in our society and elsewhere in the world.
“What we have managed to do in alleviating the difficulties in the life of a few is but a tiny drop in the vast ocean of suffering caused by the unscrupulous greed and violence of drug pushers,” he said.
A great majority of these people, he added, seem to be able to continue their illegal activities despite every method of dissuasion that can be brought against them.
But he said members of the CAR are not discouraged, no matter how heavily the spread of drugs hangs over them.
The bishop thanked the government for its financial support so far and its pledge to continue this in future. Words of thanks also went to individuals, and local and international firms for supporting the project.
The first five clients who have successfully completed their rehabilitation programme received their certificates during Friday’s ceremony.