TTK’s experience in community care Designated by the UNODC as a Learning Centre for Low Cost Community Care Have been conducting alcoholism treatment camps for the past 19 years Six camps each year, treating alcoholics in each camp Developed a manual on this approach Trained South Asian functionaries on Community Approach Camp Manual

Community Care - Primary Focus Shift the intervention from costly specialized institutions to the homes and communities of the clients.

Community based rehabilitation Making effective use of local resources Facilitate integration into families and communities through attitudinal change

Enriching the community involves Creating awareness Changing attitudes Changing attitudes Building constructive approaches

Objectives of conducting treatment camps To help clients to give up drugs completely To work towards improving their life functioning To reduce HIV risk taking behaviour To empower the family and community to support the client in recovery To familiarize clients with services available in the community

Low cost community care –three phases Phase 1- Preparatory phase Phase 2 - Camp programme Phase 3 - Follow-up

Preparatory Phase – Step I Create awareness in the community: To let large number of clients know about camp Make the community aware that addiction is treatable Mobilize resources for camp

Preparatory Phase – Step II Identify drug users through multiple sources Motivate clients and family into treatment Screen for medical problems and start detox

Preparatory Phase – Step III Home detox with tapered dosages

Selection Criteria Clients living within a 10 to 20 kms radius Regularity in attending outreach programme prior to the camp Availability of family support Absence of serious medical or psychiatric problems HIV positive clients with stable health status

Phase II : Conducting the camp A few principles Structured treatment programme, shorter duration and in-patient care Treatment team skilled in addiction Management Recovering drug users as part of the treatment team Dealing with abuse of other drugs – alcohol, marijuana

Treatment process Group therapy Counselling Sharing by NA members Input sessions on Addictive process, HIV-AIDS and recovery from addiction Physical exercise Opportunities to have fun through games

Phase III : Follow up Offered in the community For one year Self-help group net work Relapse management Documentation

Benefits Some clients give up completely and get into NA programme Realise the need to quit alcohol and other drugs of abuse Become aware they have to improve their life functioning Family and community understand the recovery process, hence more tolerant Relationship with treatment professionals strengthened, hence help seeking behaviour developed

To ensure effectiveness of a camp Establish ground work in the community Select appropriate clients Prepare them well Get the family involved Train and equip treatment team Run camp as planned Ensure regular follow up Document proceedings