Responsible for the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of substance abusers

The National Agency for the Treatment & Rehabilitation of Substance Abusers (NATReSA) operates under the aegis of the Ministry of Health of Quality of Life, the sole government institution responsible for the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of substance abusers. As girls and women are not spared by the abuse of drugs and alcohol and its consequences, NATReSA allocates funds to NGOs involved in the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of substance abusers. As such, NATReSA is funding two residential treatment centres, specialized treatment and rehabilitation of women substance abusers. The Chrysalide Centre at Bambous specialized for women sex workers and Etoile D ’Esperance offers services to women alcoholics at Quatre Bornes. All services provided at these two centres are free of charge to the clients. These comprise relearning of daily household duties, day care services, counseling, group/family/individual/occupational therapies and empowerment courses like hairdressing, facial, manicures, pedicures, flower making and handicrafts. Outreach programmes are also carried out. The Etoile D ’Esperance operates a relay centre at Rivière Noire. The Chrysalide Centre also provides services to women. Children below the age of 12 are allowed to stay with their mothers at the centre. Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) as well as HIV & AIDS components are mainstreamed in all preventive and educational programmes of NATReSA. In year 2008, NATReSA produced a video clip titled “Femme Reprends Toi ” so as to sentise the public, especially girls and women on their very important role and participation in sensitizing the public on substance abuse. During year 2014, 27 female sex workers most of whom were substance abusers, received services at the Chrysalide Centre while 359 women alcoholics benefitted from services at Etoile D ’Esperance. NATReSA has sensitised girls and women on substance abuse, HIV & AIDS in 2014 in line with its coordination efforts with other organization in the prevention of substance abuse and the Treatment & Rehabilitation of Substance Abusers. NATReSA coordinates and funds activities of various stakeholders (Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare, the National Women ’s Council, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Health & Quality of Life, other Ministries & Departments and NGOs etc) which provide services in mobilizing and sensitizing women in order to empower them and prevent them from becoming prey of substance abuse, HIV & AIDS and other related health and socio-economic problems.

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