Burmese Refugees: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

In recent years a decrease in donor support has lead to worsening conditions in refugee camps on the Thai/Myanmar border with reports of increasing numbers in drug and alcohol addiction, violence and depression.

This makes the work of the addiction prevention program all the more necessary. The effectiveness of the programme speaks for itself: the team has increased its outreach to 60 villages and trained 40 more village coordinators, as well maintaining recovery rates at a strong 61%. Moreover, a training house for new addiction workers and village coordinators has been built to assure that these numbers will not be stagnant and can increase gradually.

In the IDP and refugee camps the program continues its prevention education program with an emphasis on youth. Mae La refugee camp on the Thai-Burma border has the highest rate of addiction and suicide among the camps. Due to its size it is an easy target for drug dealers who take advantage of the vulnerable situation of refugees. The treatment workers in Mae La camp have built up a strong team to take on this challenge.

One of the beneficiaries said: “I went to the treatment centre to take out detoxification in my body and didn’t want to rely myself on drugs, alcohol in my life. My health was being healed by the treatment process such as giving the training, Yoga and other activities. I have got a lot of knowledge from addiction workers and at the same time I can share to the neighboring what the lesson that I have learnt. The activities was benefit for everyone not only addiction people. Mostly people appreciate the workers and still need their activities in the community. “

Thanks to your continued support the program and with it drug abuse prevention and rehabilitation work can continue in the border region!