ODIC

REGIONAL PROGRAMME TO SUPPORT OPERATIONS OF OUTREACH/DROP-IN CENTRES (ODICs)

BACKGROUND

Since 2005, the Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Programme (CPDAP) with funding support from INL, US Department of State, established Outreach/Drop-in Centres (ODICs) in several Asian countries, currently in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Philippines and Maldives with a view to help a large number of recovering persons and their families. From past experience with regard to drug treatment & rehabilitation and aftercare programmes, it has become evident that many countries face problems and constraints, due to both high relapse rates and financial implications in maintaining residential treatment centers. On the other hand, considering the cultural and socio-economic factors, it is also necessary to enhance the community-based prevention and treatment & rehabilitation programmes to reach out to marginalised population. Such community-based programmes utilising available community resources would make treatment and rehabilitation more accessible to addicted persons in marginalised communities.

Though there are some shortcomings in some of the established ODICs during the early stages of operation, these centres have successfully assisted many recovering persons and their families. With regular training, guidance and close monitoring, the CPDAP aims to reinforce the activities of the ODICs, sustain and continue the services effectively.

PARTICIPATING ODICs

Regional Training on Development of Outreach/Drop in Centres, 22-25 September 2008, Hanoi, Vietnam

The ODICs currently supported by the CPDAP are as follows:

1. Prang Outreach/Drop-in Centre, Peshawar, Pakistan.
2. Kuchlak Outreach/Drop-in Centre, Quetta – Balochistan, Pakistan.
3. Khuda ki Basti & Christian Town Outreach/Drop-in Centres, Karachi, Pakistan.
4. Balabac Community Outreach/Drop-in Centre, Poblacion, Balabac, Palawan, Philippines.
5. Bataraza Community Outreach/Drop-in Centre, Poblacion, Bataraza, Palawan, Philippines.
6. Logar Outreach/Drop-in Centre, Logar Province, Afghanistan.
7. Open-Hand Outreach/Drop-in Centre,Gn. Fuahmulah, Maldives.
8. Society for Women Against Drug (SWAD) Outreach/Drop-in Centre, Male, Maldives

MAIN TASKS AND SERVICES OF ODICs:

1. To provide early intervention services and counseling to recovering drug addicts to prevent relapse,
2. To provide motivation and counseling to the addicted persons, and co-dependents/family members to seek treatment,
3. To involve the community and significant others to help the drug addicts and their families in their recovery journeys,
4. To reach out and provide basic information, knowledge and literature to addicted persons who do not want to appear in the hospitals or treatment centres.
5. To provide home-based treatment for those in remote areas, particularly women where treatment facilities are not available and ;
6. To provide a place and encourage the meetings of the support groups for recovering persons and co-dependents,
7. To facilitate vocational training, job placements, develop self-employment and income generating activities for recovering persons, and
8. To help recovering persons to join mainstream society as productive citizens and continue their recovery journey successfully.

Workshop on Development of Outreach/Drop in Centres, 31 May-4 June 2009, Male, Maldives

The services rendered by the outreach/drop-in centre target high risk population, drug abusers/addicts/recovering persons in the respective community. The activities carried out by the outreach/drop-in centre include outreach visits; early intervention strategies such as pre-treatment counseling, home-based detoxification; short-term outpatient or home-based treatment; referrals to hospitals or drug treatment centres; organisation and conduct of education and training programmes by professionals on drug awareness, training of outreach support staff and volunteers, and skills training; and encouraging family members to come to the centres for counseling.

SUPPORT FROM THE CPDAP AND ACCOUNTABILITY

To ensure the efficient operation of the ODICs, the CPDAP conducts regular training for the staff and officials of ODICs and meetings. The training enables the staff of the ODICs to render relevant services in accordance to the policy and objectives of the project. Before the implementation of the ODIC programme, the staff members are given a brief orientation cum training on the establishment and operations of ODICs. The CPDAP also continues to provide training to the outreach programme staff with advanced training from time to time.

During the first year of operations, the ODICs are required to provide monthly feedback reports. However, in the second year, the ODICs are required to provide quarterly progress reports. Each ODIC has to submit an annual financial report to the CPDAP.

The CPDAP regularly monitors the performance of the each ODIC and conducts random visits to the ODICs to evaluate the activities implemented. The recommendations of the monitoring and evaluation missions on the performance of each ODIC as well as the monthly / quarterly progress reports will determine the future funding of each ODIC.