On way to recovery at ‘clubhouse’

THERE is a new “clubhouse’’ of sorts on Jalan Raja Alang in Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur, for a particularly vulnerable group – recovering drug addicts.

The first National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) Intermediate Home in Malaysia is on the third floor of a green three-storey walk-up building nestled among eateries and food stalls along the busy road.

Clients interacting with peer guides (in blue) at the activities/game room at the AADK Intermediate Home in Jalan Raja Alang, Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur. — Photos: MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star

It is easy to miss but a navigation map app of your choice should be able to lead you here if you key in “Pusat Dialysis Aiman”, which occupies the ground floor. This dialysis centre is a separate entity managed by Hospital Kuala Lumpur.

The new intermediate home, equipped with a game room and therapy room, is a significant step towards bolstering recovery for former drug addicts.

On Feb 19, AADK in collaboration with Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) opened the facility.

It offers recovering addicts a structured and supportive environment to solidify their progress towards a drug-free life, providing a bridge between in-patient treatment and full reintegration into society.

Those who have served time in prison for drug possession under Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and ordered to undergo rehabilitation, or who have referrals from any Narcotic Addiction Rehabilitation Centre (Puspen), can obtain this service.

The AADK Intermediate Home in Malaysia on the top floor of the building along a busy road.

Entry is voluntary, either through walk-ins or referral from a non-governmental organisation or strategic partner of AADK.

One client at the home is Hassan Ali* (not his real name), 50, who has struggled with drug addiction for 20 years.

Hassan finds the counselling sessions, programmes and meet-ups like gotong-royong helpful to steer him away from his old behaviour.

“In addition, meeting with people at the home helps my rehabilitation and healing process,” he said, referring to the other recovering addicts who attend sharing sessions with the AADK peer guides.

Hassan has undergone Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT). Malaysia started to provide MMT to opioid-dependent patients in government facilities in 2005 to improve their quality of life.

The therapy room at the intermediate home.

“MMT is useful to get us off drugs but the intermediate home’s services help further.

“I don’t even think about getting into drugs again, thanks to the supportive AADK guides helping me through this journey,” he said.

Because of his strong family support, Hassan said he was able to change his maladaptive behaviour with the goal of continuing life drug-free.

He used to run an eatery before he started using marijuana (ganja) and then heroin.

“I was curious, and then was influenced by some bad hats and got caught,” he added.

Hassan said he went to prison six times for drug possession. The longest he served was 10 months.

“My family became fed-up with my behaviour and relapses, but luckily, I have been drug-free for almost three years,” he said.

Sutekno (seated centre) spending time with some AADK clients during the launch of the home, while event guests look on.

At the launch, AADK director-general Sutekno Ahmad Belon said the main objective of the intermediate home was to provide a safe, clean and comfortable environment, complete with activities to keep clients on the path to recovery.

“This platform is an open community-based one, helping clients obtain input and referrals in terms of employment and living arrangements.”

Hassan also hoped the community in general and employers would continue to offer recovering addicts a second and even third chance at reintegrating into society.

Spousal support

Hassan’s wife, Sharina, 50, who works as a franchise officer, agreed to marry Hassan three months after meeting him. The couple has a six-year-old child.

“I somehow knew he had a drug problem; he did not tell me about it but I wanted to support him in his recovery because he treated me well,” she said.

“It was my mother in-law who told me (about his drug problem) and asked if I would be able to accept him.

“I think my husband was also worried that if he told me, I would run away. He was married before but that (marriage) did not work out.”

Sharina said it was her purpose to give her husband all the support he needed to have a better life.

The interior of the facility.

She said the programmes at the intermediate home provided a good platform for recovering addicts to discipline themselves.

Most importantly, she emphasised, the community needed to know that the recovering addicts were making a positive change in their lives, and the clients needed a second chance to move on.

“Without community support, they cannot recover,” she said.

Welcoming atmosphere

StarMetro also caught up with the home’s treatment and rehabilitation director Siti Mariam Mursidan, as well as AADK peer guidance officers, to discover more of the long-term positive and remedial approaches the home is offering.

Having held various positions in AADK for 27 years at the district, state and Puspen level, Siti Mariam, 54, said the core purpose of the intermediate home by AADK and MAIWP was psycho-social spiritual education on drug abuse prevention.

Siti Mariam: At the home, the environment is friendly andwelcoming.

“The approach we use from the beginning at Puspen is very different; we are now targeting the current needs (of recovering addicts) at the home.

“The idea for the home came about when we encountered a client who had undergone rehabilitation in Puspen, where there wasn’t a place for them to be on the same level as the officers.

“At the intermediate home, the environment is friendly and welcoming,” she said.

On duty at the home are three permanent staff comprising two peer guides and a coordinator, plus two assistants.

“Most of the clients here are not new arrivals; they are mid-way into a rehabilitation programme,” said Siti Mariam.

“We assess the level of their problem and what they need to recover.

“We help them gain motivation and confidence to build a new life.”

She said the home also offered career and employer matching assistance to former addicts.

Clients attending a sharing session conducted by a peer guide (in blue).

“They all have different personalities; sometimes the jobs they like don’t match their personality.

“We engage with about 1,000 employers under our database, mostly those in the plantation, service, and food and beverage industries,” she said.

Siti Mariam said they targeted about 30 recovering addicts a day to visit the home from 8am to 8pm.

“The recovering addicts have the choice to come here and seek treatment,” she said.

Gaining trust

One of the home’s peer guides, Mohamad Hafiz Azri Zahri, 36, has been doing the job for almost four years.

“My focus is getting the trust of the recovering addicts.

Mohamad Hafiz: Clients might face stigma but they also need to get rid of self-limiting beliefs.

“They might face stigma from society but they also need to get rid of their self-limiting beliefs.

“We provide positive reinforcement so that they can move on.”

Peer guide Mohammad Zainullah Asnawi, 41, is a 10-year veteran who started at Puspen and served at district and state levels under AADK.

“The approach here is different, compared to Puspen where discipline is more rigid.

“Here, the clients come and go. We make them feel comfortable,” said Zainullah.