<p>While many of us might assume that our country is progressing at a fast pace, it is a sad truth that the development of the nation is not sustainable enough.<br /><br /></p>.<p> There still exists a vast gap between the rich and the poor, and filling the gap is a multi-dimensional task that requires work to be done at various levels. One reason for the pitiable status of many rural families is alcoholism. When it almost seemed like there would never be a solution to alcoholism and its consequential poverty, an idea emerged, which believed that what cannot be changed through medicine can be changed by creating awareness.<br /><br />This idea seems to be working out at the various alcohol de-addiction camps that are organised in different parts of the State and even outside, for the past 20 years. The impact can be seen in the camps that are being conducted by Akhila Karnataka Jana Jagruthi Vedike, promoted by Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Gramabhivruddhi Yojane (Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Plan - SKDRDP). The organisation has conducted over 1,000 alcohol de-addiction camps, benefitting more than 74,000 people in over 20 districts of Karnataka and in Kasargod district, Kerala.<br /><br /> The camps are organised under the guidance of Dr D Veerendra Heggade, president of SKDRDP who envisioned the programme, and Dr L H Manjunath, chief executive officer of the organisation. The impact of these camps is said to be good with about 82% of those who attend the camps quitting drinking alcohol consequentially. The expenses of each camp is about Rs three lakh and local organisation and the Jana Jagruthi Vedike raise the funds. Each camp accommodates around 80 to 100 people. Local elders, leaders and organisations are taken into confidence before organising the camp. <br /><br />The process<br /><br />Technically, it takes 21 days to de-addict an alcoholic, as prescribed by medical science. But at de-addiction camps like this one, they only accommodate a candidate for seven to 10 days. “Mental transition works more effectively than any medicine and that is precisely what we do here,” says Bhaskar Gowda, who was in-charge of the 1000th de-addiction camp by SKDRDP. Very few self-motivated people enrol to the camp voluntarily, while others attend under pressure from family or friends. But the very people who come here unwillingly, leave the place with a renewed zest for life.<br /><br />The first step in the camp is to evaluate the physical fitness of each participant through a medical check-up. On the basis of that, the participants are provided a certain dosage of medicine which favours the removal of alcoholic content from the body. This eliminates the craving for alcohol. Once everyone has been accommodated, the process of changing the minds of the participants begins. <br /><br />The process for de-addiction is carried out in different stages. On the first and second days, the candidates are made to realise why ‘drinking’ is a disease. They are given information in detail about the impact of alcohol on their body and mind and how it in turn affects their family. Then they are made to realise what they had been doing was wrong. On the third day, a series of activities are organised to make them let go of their addiction. On the fourth day, life without addiction is elaborated through various activities. <br /><br />Apart the mental transformation, the rehabilitation camps also focus on making their lives better in the long run. They hold sessions for the participants’ families and train them on treating the people properly. Ideals of oneness in the family and importance of social relationships are also infused during the camp. For physical revival, the candidates are put under simple medication. It restores their taste buds and heals any damage that alcohol might have caused. The camps provide good food, accommodation, provision for yoga and meditation and tasks to maintain personal and environmental hygiene.<br /><br />Before the candidates leave the camp, there is a symbolic ‘burning of evil’ that they do by setting a pile of hay on fire. They are then symbolically welcomed to their ‘new life’. Also, the camps conduct follow-up sessions for two consecutive years to ensure that they do not resume the old habit. The follow-up includes weekly get-togethers and activities that ensure the physical and mental well-being of these members and keep them motivated. Bhaskar Gowda feels that follow-ups are crucial for the success of de-addiction programmes. There are instances of local organisations and institutions collaborating to organise the camps.<br /><br />Better future<br /><br />Talking to the beneficiaries of the de-addiction camps, one can see the transformation the process has brought in them. “Six years ago, my life was hell. The situation changed after I attended a de-addiction camp,” recalls Manoj Kundapura, a beneficiary. “I am a bus driver now, have two kids and I do not have any worries. The camp was a boon to me, and my family is happy now. I am still proudly associated with the organisation. I also encourage and introduce alcohol addicts to such camps.”<br /><br />Several other beneficiaries like Manoj are still associated with the organisation in various ways through a network that has been put in place. They find alcoholics in their areas and admit them to the camp. In fact, more than the candidate himself, it is his family that expresses gratitude to the volunteers of the camp. With so much work being put in, it can be seen that the de-addiction camps are playing a crucial role in eradicating alcoholism. <br /><br />For more details about the organisation, visit www.janajagruthi.org. <br /><br /></p>
<p>While many of us might assume that our country is progressing at a fast pace, it is a sad truth that the development of the nation is not sustainable enough.<br /><br /></p>.<p> There still exists a vast gap between the rich and the poor, and filling the gap is a multi-dimensional task that requires work to be done at various levels. One reason for the pitiable status of many rural families is alcoholism. When it almost seemed like there would never be a solution to alcoholism and its consequential poverty, an idea emerged, which believed that what cannot be changed through medicine can be changed by creating awareness.<br /><br />This idea seems to be working out at the various alcohol de-addiction camps that are organised in different parts of the State and even outside, for the past 20 years. The impact can be seen in the camps that are being conducted by Akhila Karnataka Jana Jagruthi Vedike, promoted by Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Gramabhivruddhi Yojane (Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Plan - SKDRDP). The organisation has conducted over 1,000 alcohol de-addiction camps, benefitting more than 74,000 people in over 20 districts of Karnataka and in Kasargod district, Kerala.<br /><br /> The camps are organised under the guidance of Dr D Veerendra Heggade, president of SKDRDP who envisioned the programme, and Dr L H Manjunath, chief executive officer of the organisation. The impact of these camps is said to be good with about 82% of those who attend the camps quitting drinking alcohol consequentially. The expenses of each camp is about Rs three lakh and local organisation and the Jana Jagruthi Vedike raise the funds. Each camp accommodates around 80 to 100 people. Local elders, leaders and organisations are taken into confidence before organising the camp. <br /><br />The process<br /><br />Technically, it takes 21 days to de-addict an alcoholic, as prescribed by medical science. But at de-addiction camps like this one, they only accommodate a candidate for seven to 10 days. “Mental transition works more effectively than any medicine and that is precisely what we do here,” says Bhaskar Gowda, who was in-charge of the 1000th de-addiction camp by SKDRDP. Very few self-motivated people enrol to the camp voluntarily, while others attend under pressure from family or friends. But the very people who come here unwillingly, leave the place with a renewed zest for life.<br /><br />The first step in the camp is to evaluate the physical fitness of each participant through a medical check-up. On the basis of that, the participants are provided a certain dosage of medicine which favours the removal of alcoholic content from the body. This eliminates the craving for alcohol. Once everyone has been accommodated, the process of changing the minds of the participants begins. <br /><br />The process for de-addiction is carried out in different stages. On the first and second days, the candidates are made to realise why ‘drinking’ is a disease. They are given information in detail about the impact of alcohol on their body and mind and how it in turn affects their family. Then they are made to realise what they had been doing was wrong. On the third day, a series of activities are organised to make them let go of their addiction. On the fourth day, life without addiction is elaborated through various activities. <br /><br />Apart the mental transformation, the rehabilitation camps also focus on making their lives better in the long run. They hold sessions for the participants’ families and train them on treating the people properly. Ideals of oneness in the family and importance of social relationships are also infused during the camp. For physical revival, the candidates are put under simple medication. It restores their taste buds and heals any damage that alcohol might have caused. The camps provide good food, accommodation, provision for yoga and meditation and tasks to maintain personal and environmental hygiene.<br /><br />Before the candidates leave the camp, there is a symbolic ‘burning of evil’ that they do by setting a pile of hay on fire. They are then symbolically welcomed to their ‘new life’. Also, the camps conduct follow-up sessions for two consecutive years to ensure that they do not resume the old habit. The follow-up includes weekly get-togethers and activities that ensure the physical and mental well-being of these members and keep them motivated. Bhaskar Gowda feels that follow-ups are crucial for the success of de-addiction programmes. There are instances of local organisations and institutions collaborating to organise the camps.<br /><br />Better future<br /><br />Talking to the beneficiaries of the de-addiction camps, one can see the transformation the process has brought in them. “Six years ago, my life was hell. The situation changed after I attended a de-addiction camp,” recalls Manoj Kundapura, a beneficiary. “I am a bus driver now, have two kids and I do not have any worries. The camp was a boon to me, and my family is happy now. I am still proudly associated with the organisation. I also encourage and introduce alcohol addicts to such camps.”<br /><br />Several other beneficiaries like Manoj are still associated with the organisation in various ways through a network that has been put in place. They find alcoholics in their areas and admit them to the camp. In fact, more than the candidate himself, it is his family that expresses gratitude to the volunteers of the camp. With so much work being put in, it can be seen that the de-addiction camps are playing a crucial role in eradicating alcoholism. <br /><br />For more details about the organisation, visit www.janajagruthi.org. <br /><br /></p>
