ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, January 19th, 2012 – The Sandy Lane Centre is inviting the public to participate in the various activities planned to observe its annual Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Awareness Month (SAPTAM).

A slogan competition marked the opening of SAPTAM, with the winning entry submitted by Ms. Romana Peters of Morgan and Morgan Trust Corporation Limited. Under the theme, “Don’t Give Up, Don’t Give In. With Hope, Substance Abuse Cannot Win”, the month of activities continues with a schools visual arts competition, and educational presentations, along with a church service at the Cane Garden Bay Baptist Church on Sunday, January 22 and the 17th Artists Against Addiction Showcase on Sunday, January 29 in the Breezeway of the Central Administration Building at 3pm

During a Radio Report, Manager of the Sandy Lane Centre, Ms. Andrea Hamm spoke with the Department of Information and Public Relations about the rehabilitative services provided by the Centre.

She stated that the most common addictions faced in the community are related to alcohol, crack cocaine and marijuana use. The Manager said that while some addictions can be related to a person’s genetic or family history, there were also other situational factors such as a major disappointment, loss of a family member or having to work in a stressful environment.

Services provided by the Sandy Lane Centre include individual and group therapy; transitional housing and a day treatment programme.

Some recovery and prevention strategies were also outlined during the interview. The Sandy Lane Centre is encouraging parents and guardians to ensure that their children actively participate in extra-curricular activities since youths who are positively engaged are less likely to use substances.

Furthermore, the Centre is advising persons recovering from addictions to change their social network and environment if they are not conducive to a successful recovery.

While the Sandy Lane Centre provides a variety of rehabilitation options, it continues to face a few challenges such as the stigma attached to persons recovering from substance abuse and requests for homeless persons to be accommodated in its transitional housing programme.

The Sandy Lane Centre was established under the Ministry of Health and Social Development in 1995 to provide treatment and related services to persons who suffer from addictions to alcohol and other substances; to lend support to the families of persons who suffer from addiction; and to provide education and increased awareness on addiction and treatment.

*************************
DISCLAIMER

 
This article was posted in its entirety as received by SKNVibes.com. This media house does not correct any spelling or grammatical error within press releases and commentaries. The views expressed therein are not necessarily those of SKNVibes.com, its sponsors or advertisers