“Sankalpa”, Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts of OLS first received funding from the Government of India in 1992-1993 under the Scheme for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse of the Ministry of Social Justice and Observation of World Environment Day Staff exposure visit to Unayan for observation of women’s cooperative 54 Empowerment, Govt. of India. Sankalpa embodies and follows the same spirit and sense of service that is readily evident in the innovative systems of education, therapy, and other services provided to children with cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities by OLS.
Sankalpa utilizes the services of a doctor, psychologist, pharmacist, two peer counselors, a yoga therapist, and support staff to help `users’ get reintegrated into society as productive and useful citizens. Realizing that there is more to drug treatment than just abstaining from drugs, “Sankalpa” combines different therapies including group therapy, individual counseling, sharing sessions, life skill training, vocational exposure and counseling, referral services, aftercare and drop-in facilities, and exposure to self-help groups and 12 step programs.
A sense of togetherness is something that is fostered at OLS and Sankalpa seeks to work towards building this spirit, firmly believing that recovery, as a community effort is easier rather than done in an isolated manner. Festivals are celebrated with clients and ex-clients at the Centre. So are acknowledgments of ‘sober or clean time’. Milestones in recovery such as six, or nine months, one year, and multiples of years are events that warrant celebrations – sometimes small and sometimes not so small. Similarly, events such as family weddings of ex-clients and birthdays, etc. provide wonderful opportunities to celebrate life and to see life from a different perspective.
Major Activities
Awareness and identification
International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was observed at Saliasahi, Bhubaneswar on 26th June 2021 with the aims of combating misinformation and promoting sharing the facts on drugs — from health risks and solutions to tackle the world drug problem, to evidence-based prevention, treatment, and care. Awareness meetings, rallies, drawing competitions among the children of Saliasahi; awareness campaign meetings for Community people as well as local youth was organized by Open Learning Systems with the support of SSEPD, Government of Odisha. Mr. Biplaba Keshari Samantaray, BSSO, SSEPD as Chief Guest, Mr. Pratap Kumar Rath as a resource person, and Mr. Suvendu Biswal of DDC, OLS were invited to the awareness program.
Besides, Counsellors and volunteers of “Sankalpa” attended different fairs and festivals like Bali Yatra, Rath Yatra, Ashoka Ashtami etc. and tried to make the public aware of Drug Abuse. They also distributed leaflets in Odia to make the public aware of different aspects of drug addiction.
Detoxification
Detoxification is the process of cleaning the body of drugs and alcohol that a client has consumed. The purpose of detoxification is to safely manage the withdrawal symptoms when a client stops consuming drugs and alcohol. In our organization to reduce the withdrawal symptoms, some medicines are being provided to the clients by consulting the doctor.
Meditation and Yoga
Everyday morning from 6.00 A.M to 7.00 A.M yoga and meditation classes are held in the center by the yoga therapist. The clients participate eagerly and they get mental peace and physical benefits.
Vocational training
The following vocational training are being provided to the clients in the center by the trainer weekly once:
- Computer training,
- Spiral Binding.
- Comb Binding.
- Laundry
- Carpentry
- Jute and Handicraft training.
- Bakery etc
Physical Exercise
Music Therapy and Aerobic are being conducted every day in the center.
Re-educative / Lecture sessions and participatory sessions
A re-educative session is an interactive session between the clients and the counsellor where the counselor makes them aware of various educational, social, and health related concerns.
Recreational
The following recreational activities are being provided to the clients in the center.
- Playing Indoor games (Chess, Carrom, Ludo, Computer Games, Chinese Checkers)
- Listening to Music
- Singing
- Dancing
- Books and Newspaper reading
- Watching TV / Video
Support groups
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
- Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
- Volunteers
These groups are encouraged to attend different sharing meetings, conventions, and day-out programs to strengthen their willpower.
Counseling (in the Centre and during follow-up visits)
Individual counselling
Every client is given individual counselling for at least 8 sessions during 30 days of his stay in the center. If needed, it becomes more than 8 sessions when the client extends his period of staying in the center.
Group counselling
Group counseling is provided to the clients at least 5 sessions a week by grouping them separately (10-12 clients in a group).
Family counseling
Family counseling is given to the client’s family members for at least 4 sessions within 30 days in the counseling room. Sometimes it becomes more than 4 sessions when the client extends his period of stay in the center.
Therapy
The following therapies are being provided to the clients in the center:
- Psychotherapy
- Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
- Behaviour Change Therapy.
- Group Therapy
- Yoga Therapy.
- Music Therapy.
- Art Therapy.
Sharing Session (Part of Group Therapy)
In sharing sessions the clients have got equal and independent chance to share about themselves, their family members, workplace, inner feelings, etc. with each other.
Follow-up and rehabilitation program
After being discharged from the center we provide follow-up to the client on a monthly, quarterly, and half-yearly basis to check whether the client is cleaned or in a state of relapse.
Day-care services
This service is extended to both ex-clients from our Centre as well as from other Centers.
Aftercare services
We suggest the clients practice 90 days 90 meetings and regularly follow the 12 steps program.