“I want to see social justice done to everyone, even to those people who have made mistakes more than once, and as a consequence of their addictions, they have even ended up with criminal offenses,” said the Minister for Solidarity and Justice. Social, Family and Children’s Rights Michael Falzon during a visit to the Santa Maria Community, a residence that provides a rehabilitation program for about 30 drug victims.
Minister Michael Falzon praised the great work being done by Aġenzija Sedqa, within the Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS), during a visit to the people who are doing the program. Extensive investment has been made in recent months, so much so that all rooms have been changed and modernized.
This residency offers three phases: the first is the ‘Assessment and Stability’ for those clients who have successfully completed the detoxification stage at the Engagement House. At this stage, professionals better understand what led that person to become addicted, from a social and biological act.
From there comes the therapeutic phase, where the main goal is to provide a positive environment where clients learn to respect each other as well as obey the rules and understand the consequences they may face if they break them. During this period clients participate together in therapy groups while individual therapy continues.
This period usually takes two months, eventually leading to the most important part: that of reintegration into the community. At this stage, clients return to the world of work, while continuing to contribute to the facility in order to maintain the highest standards. Therapy will continue to be provided at this stage to further strengthen the resilience of addicts at a critical stage.
Meanwhile, the biggest infrastructure work done in the community was in this last phase of rehabilitation. New furniture and accessories have replaced old furniture, while new bathrooms, kitchen and gym have been put in place, among other renovations.
Minister Michael Falzon said that the ministry will continue to assist all organizations working in the field of addictions, as well as increase financial investment to continue to provide the best service. This is in the light of new social realities related to drug use. Minister Michael Falzon also said that from next year the Ibwar Center, which will receive adolescents with drug problems, will start operating.
