Free Detox Camp 26thJune to 5th July 2008

Patients at the Detox Camp                              Input Session by Mr Tshewang Bhutia

On 26^th June 2008, to mark two years of existence as well as to commemorate International Day Against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking, H.A.N.D.S. organized a 10 days Free Detoxification Camp in Two Phases. During the camp, food, medicines, hospital expenses and all the other requirements were met by the society.

      Phase I – 10 Young male chemically dependents underwent Detoxification Treatment under the supervision of a member Doctor, Dr Sanjay Zimba at Kalimpong Clinic, (Dr Sharma’s Nursing Home) for a period of 5 days, -26^th to 30^th June.

       On 29^th June, when the patients were found to be in better frame of mind, -Mr Chawang Bhutia, Counselor from Mukti Foundation, a treatment centre in Ghoom, Darjeeling, conducted a very resourceful counseling session.

       On 30^th June, Mr P.J.Pradhan from Kurseong and Mr P.J.Pradhan from Gangtok, both counselors working in the field of substance abuse, conducted counseling session with the patients. Parents and Guardians of the patients had been invited for family counseling. The two P.J.Pradhans conducted family counseling sessions before the patients were discharged and handed over to their respective Guardians. 

     Phase II – (1^st July to 5^th July) following their discharge from the hospital all the 10 patients had to attend intensive counseling by trained staff at the H.A.N.D.S. Day Care/Drop in Center. They reported daily at 9:30 AM and after a  whole days program, including Tea and mid day lunch, they were allowed to go home at 4:30 PM. They were also asked to attend the NA meetings on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings.

     2^nd July- Three of the ten patients were motivated to go fore further long term Rehabilitation Treatment. One of our staff took these three patients and had them admitted at Mukti Foundation, Ghoom, Darjeeling. Two more patients are also ready to join the same. They will be going in the near future after they have settled their family problems.                          

       Considering the personality damage caused by Drug Dependency, the 50 % motivation  outcome of the program is satisfactory and we hope to be able to motivate all 10 in the future.

This kind of program was held for the FIRST TIME IN KALIMPONG

Help Line Posters in Police Stations & Hospitals

HANDS Help Line Posters at the Sub Divisional Hospital 

Posters with Help Line numbers have been made and pasted in important public places, i.e. Hospitals, Police Station, Restaurants (Fast Foods), Collages, Nursing Homes etc. Any effected party or person can contact the help line. We have received many calls, especially from the Police Station and the Hospital. Our staffs have given immediate response to such calls and provide necessary help.

School Drug Abuse & HIV/AIDS Awareness

School children at the Awareness Camp in Saptashree Gyanpith

HA.N.D.S. is conducting Drug & Alcohol Abuse and HIV/AIDS awareness programs in schools like St Joseph Convent, St Augustines School, Rock Vale Academy and Saptashree Gyanpith. This is an ongoing program, the horrors of Drug abuse and HIV/AIDS is on the rise amongst our youth so our aim is to educate them at an early age. 

Rural HIV/Aids & Drug/Alcohol Awareness Programmme

People attending the Awareness Camp              Dr Sangay Zimba at the Awareness Camp

Working is going on in the Rural Areas also Mountain Dynamics, Pudung, Kalimpong, an N.G.O working in the villages holds regular training programs and H.A.N.D.S. has joined hands with them to conduct awareness on HIV/AIDS & Drug and Alcohol Abuse. Since Alcohol seems to be the excepted silent Drug in the villages we have laid emphases on these points and brought out an important message-“Alcohol is the oldest Drug”

Fund Raising Programme(Bombay Dreams)2nd October 2007

With the ultimate aim of garnering support and raising funds to establish a much needed Drugs and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre, HANDS organized a musical play on 02Oct2007.
The play “Bombay Dreams”was an Andrew Llyod Webber production with music by renowned music director AR Rahman. The onstage musical play was performed by students of Himali Boarding School, Kurseong, at Kalimpong Town Hall.
The entire event was a roaring success and we at HANDS would like to offer our heartfelt gratitude to the Himali troupe and especially to Mr. Robi Subba, Principal HImali Boarding for performing the entire show free of charge to enable HANDS to raise funds for its ongoing deeds and accomplish its targets.

Day against Drug Abuse& Illicit Trafficking June 07

Interaction by Mr Jessy Targan                                Peer Leaders & Senior students                  

HANDS, Kalimpong observed the above occasion for two days.

On the 26^th Jun 2007 an awareness meeting for peer leaders and senior students was held at Rockvale Academy. The meeting was well attended by approximately 200 students from 10 different schools and was covered by the local media and press. Three resource persons, Mr. Jessy Thargen, Mr. P.J.Pradhan and Mr. Gyamtso, were invited from HOPE, (a rehabilitation centre & a very successful N.G.O) from Sikkim, for the occasion.

Street Play on the Horrors of Drug Addiction in Main Road (Kalimpong)

On the 27^th Jun 2007 a street play on the fatal and vicious cycle of drug abuse was staged at the centre of Kalimpong (Dambar Chok), was well attended by the public. On both days pamphlets, T- shirts, and caps sent by CID (Criminal Investigation Dept), West Bengal were distributed to both the public and students. Posters sent by CID, discouraging youths to stop drug abuse were posted all over town in addition to the posters sent to remote areas of the subdivision.

On the whole the both the awareness workshop and the street plays were a grand success

Awarness Camp at Chibo Busty

HANDS team being introduced to the local community

In 2006 after its inception, HANDS carried our extensive awareness programs in a number of schools and rural areas in Kalimpong. In the many rural awareness programs, HANDS carried out a well attended awareness camp at Chibo busty (village). OHP slides were shown and the scourge of HIV and drugs explained to approximately 50-60 persons from the village. Personal Testimonies of former chemically dependent persons have always been a very effective way in giving fist hard information o0n the horrors of drug abuse.

N.G.O Networking (March 07)

Representatives of various N.G.O’s at the meeting