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This rehabilitation centre in Klang has been helping individuals struggling with drugs, alcohol and other addictions, with much love and care.
KLANG: The vicious cycle of addiction not only destroys the lives of those trapped in it, but those of their family members as well. This is why Grace Centre, a rehabilitation centre for drug, alcohol and other substance abuse, aims to help.
Grace Centre comes under the umbrella of Grace Community Services (GCS), a non-governmental organisation founded in 1990 by humanitarian Dr Henry Pillai. Other social works under GCS include an orphanage, a home for the destitute, a clinic for the poor, and a feeding programme for the homeless in Kuala Lumpur.
“At Grace Centre, we provide shelter, food, and counselling for those who want to break their addiction,” coordinator Ignatius Wong tells FMT.
On average, Grace Centre helps 30 to 40 individuals a year. Despite being located in Klang, they have received cases from as far as Penang and Johor.
Before accepting a case, an interview is conducted to ascertain how willing an individual is to change his or her life.
“We only take on those who recognise they need help, because among the common struggles of individuals struggling with addiction is denial, where they tend to blame the world for their problems,” he says.
“Another struggle is the lack of willpower to break free of the addiction and, more importantly, remain free afterwards.”
These factors, he says, are key in determining how successful the rehabilitation programme will be.
Cold turkey
The first part of the programme involves the participants spending time in a “withdrawal room” to help them quit “cold turkey”.
“This is the hard part. Those with a drug problem may suffer withdrawal symptoms such as fever, joint pain and diarrhoea.
“Those with an alcohol abuse problem may experience slight fever and joint pain. Their hands and legs will also tremble,” Wong shares.
Individuals must stay in the room for at least 10 days, compared with the 14 days required in the past for drug addicts who go cold turkey. “These days, the drugs are more diluted compared to the drugs in the 1960s and 1970s, such as weed, cocaine, and heroin,” he explains.
During their time in the withdrawal room, counselling support is provided, after which the individuals will be given a set daily schedule that includes “work therapy”.
“They are assigned a specific responsibility such as being in charge of landscaping or taking care of the poultry farm, which has goats, chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys.
“I believe looking after the animals is a great way to help their mental health. They become more tender and caring, and get especially excited when there is a newborn animal on the farm,” explains Wong, who refers to this as “animal therapy”.
Participants enjoy six meals a day – breakfast, lunch, dinner, supper, and two tea breaks – but Wong ensures they do not overeat.
“In the process of breaking the addiction, it can be easy to turn to food as a form of comfort. That would not be healthy for them,” he says.
After completing the programme, the centre assists them with securing jobs, and continues to keep in touch with them thereafter.
A story of redemption
Wong is all too familiar with the challenges some of these individuals face – he was involved with drugs for 21 years before successfully breaking free.
“I was 14 when I first experimented with drugs. I thought I was smart enough to be in control. But by 22, I had lost the battle and drugs had taken control of my life,” the 54-year-old shares.
He spent three years living on the streets of KL before ending up in prison. A religious encounter in the most unlikely place – behind prison bars – gave him the courage to enrol himself in a rehab programme, and the rest is history.
“I want to use my experience to help others who are struggling with addiction,” he adds.
To sustain their efforts, the centre charges a nominal fee to families of the individuals. The pandemic, however, has led to some of them struggling to make payment, Wong reveals.
“So we accept payment from those who can afford it, understanding that there are others who can’t,” he says. “Ultimately, our goal is to help them break free and be transformed.”
Grace Centre
Lot 845, Jalan Dato Sellathevan,
Off Jalan Sungai Kandis
41000 Klang, Selangor
