Hooked on alcohol and drugs? Mel Medura can help
View(s):This is the time of year when many people make ‘New Year Resolutions’ to abstain from alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. However, without professional help they quickly slip back into their usual pattern of misuse. Together with Sumithrayo, ‘Mel Medura’ reminds the community of its services to reduce misuse of alcohol and drugs. The Mel Medura service is free and motivates users to make lifestyle changes as the road to recovery becomes more rewarding than alcohol or drug use.
Daycare sessions are also arranged for family members to attend, to minimize their discomfort, assist the user through recovery and help prevent relapse.
If necessary, a letter is first issued to the government hospital requesting the caller to be admitted for detox. It is only after the substance user is professionally detoxed and ready that a ‘key worker’ at Mel Medura begins the process of befriending the user. The Honorary Consultant, Dr. Shamil Wanigaratne, (Consultant, Clinical Psychologist, National Rehabilitation Centre, Abu Dhabi) ensures that the unit is supported with training in state-of-the-art interventions, and supervises the team.
“Biological, psychological and social factors of a person’s life need to be studied and assessed to improve diagnosis and treatment.Our emphasis is on respect, focus is on strengths, the importance of personal choice, and self-determination of goals, all of which are crucial for the person struggling with misuse of alcohol,” explained Jomo Uduman, honorary director of Mel Medura. “Misuse of alcohol, heroin, tobacco, betel and cannabis lead the list of people seeking help at Mel Medura,” he said.
Sumithrayo was founded in 1974 in Sri Lanka by the late Mrs. Joan De Mel and the London Samaritans and was the first and only crisis centre in the country at that time, dedicated to suicide prevention. It is entirely volunteer driven. It was incorporated by an Act of Parliament in 1986.The Sumithrayo Drug Demand Reduction Programme (Mel Medura) was set up in 1984 when it was realized that 30% of suicides in Sri Lanka are connected to alcohol and drug addiction.
Initially Mel Medura offered rehabilitation support on a residential basis for six weeks. This was discontinued and transformed into a community based rehabilitation centre.
Mel Medula is at 60 Horton Place, Colombo 7. Telephone: 269 4665, 269 3460. E-mail: melmedura@sltnet.lk.
Open 8.30-4.30 Monday to Saturday.