-Sen. Dillon urges graduates of his Center for Rehabilitation and Reintegration.
By: Jerromie S. Walters
As it is important to recognize drug addiction as a health issue rather than a criminal one, and as shifting the focus from punishment to rehabilitation is crucial. Controversial Montserrado County Senator Abe Darius Dillon is confidently confining in said path, as he recently released the first batch of rehabilitated youths, from his “Center for Rehabilitation and Reintegration”, and admonished them to avoid the dreadful substances.
In a brief statement at the ceremony Saturday, July 22, 2023, in Cooper Farm Community, Rehab Road, Paynesville City, Liberia, Senator Dillon urged the rehabilitated youths to avoid a repeat of their pasts, and abstain from the consumption of illegal substances. This he believes will make the fight against drug addiction more complicated and complex.
“You have an opportunity that I believe you cherish, your don’t go back there, your don’t make me cry oo, and your know what we passed through to get your here, your don’t go back there oo, once you don’t go back there, a lot of people will want to come here to be like your or better than your, you are the first ambassadors coming out of here, small number, but successful story,” he encouraged.
He believes avoiding their pasts, will enable them to tell their stories to motivate and inspire other drug users. Senator Dillon also encouraged the young men to believe in their potential, void of harmful substances, in order to ensure that they are even more successful than him.
“Don’t mind is standing here today, you can here when we leave, you were almost being deprived of opportunity to be better than us, you have yet another opportunity, the people say I like Bible business, but ehn Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, but ehn Lazarus still died later, you know why?, it’s because the Bible says the wages of sin is death,” he noted.
According to the Senator, the rehabilitated individuals will now make the most of their lives as they are now skilled men and drug freed. Furthermore, Senator Dillon stressed the need for more centers of such to be replicated across the country.
The Montserrado County Lawmaker acclaimed those supporting the Rehabilitation Center and has assured them of his continued advocacy against drug at the National Legislature.
The Rehabilitation Center formally the “Center for Rehabilitation and Reintegration” graduated its first batch of patients (Eight males) who were fully recovered and restored from drug addiction and substance abuse.
The Rehab Center was constructed to help rehabilitate and reintegrate citizens suffering from mental health issues, narcotic drug addictions and other dangerous substances. The facility was formally dedicated Thursday, September 30, 2021.
The initiative was significantly supported by the Lawmaker, “MADDAS”, Friends of Dillon (home and abroad) and other silent donors, including the Senator’s office staff.
Combating drug has been described as a complex issue that requires shifting the focus from punishment to treatment and rehabilitation is crucial.
This involves providing access to evidence-based interventions, such as counseling, detoxification, and medication-assisted treatment, to help individuals overcome their addiction. It also requires addressing the underlying factors that contribute to drug use, such as mental health issues, trauma, and social determinants of health.
President George Manneh Weah on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, signed into law the Control Drug and Substance Act of 2023, commonly called the Drug Law.
The President carried out the landmark duty July 12 after the Drug Bill was recently passed by the National Legislature following months of thoughtful introspections and deliberations.
The new law aims to regulate, restrict, control, limit, or eradicate the illegal export and importation as well as the flagrant use, abuse, and proliferation of narcotic substances within the bailiwick of the Republic.
But scores of the disadvantaged youths we spoke with, emphasized the need for rehabilitation and reintegration. Like many of the drug users we spoke with, Sarah Tamba said, raiding their ghettos and having them incarcerated will not address or limit the spread of drugs. “Carrying me South Beach can’t solve the problem, but at least if they find rehab for us, it will be fine, for time I’m tired with this life because I’m not finding my way through,” she articulated.
