On September 17, President Johnson Toribiong proclaimed September as National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month in Palau with the theme “Join the Voices for Recovery: Now More Than Ever.”
According to Alex Ngiraingas, Addiction Treatments Supervisor from Community Guidance Center, a program for Bedochel Substance Abuse Treatment and Recovery of the Division of Behavioral Health, they have ongoing programs and activities for substance abuse recovery, but this month, they are highlighting them to further create awareness to people.
Ngiraingas said they have a recorded audio skit which is now being aired on Diaz Broadcasting twice a day about the effects of alcohol addiction in the family and how a recovery program was able to help them get back to a normal and happy life. “The skit is just short but has impact,” he said.
Last Friday the Community Guidance Center on behalf of the National Alcoholalso sponsored a luncheon for recovery people to celebrate with them.
“We invited 30 people, but only 16 were able to join because some of them are working,” Ngiraingas said.
On September 26, another activity with the recovery people is lined up at Emmaus High School. “Together with the recovery people, we will be working with the kids, educating them about substance and alcohol abuse. We will also have games, archery and basketball.”
On September 29, Ngiraingas said they will have a commencement ceremony for the inmates at Koror Jail for completing the “Subelek 12 Steps Recovery Support Group” program.
“This activity at Koror Jail supports the Substance Abuse Counseling Program of the Behavioral Health to create awareness and try to help the inmates better themselves,” Ngiraingas explained.
