The Humble Beginning:

• In-patients
  There were exactly 300 addicts who got admitted as in-patients at Asha Kiran de-addiction centre during this financial year. They came not only from the State of Karnataka's 14 districts but also from the States of Tamilnadu and Maharashtra. The in-patients usually stay for a period of 3 weeks. The treatment consists in initial screening to rule out any communicable diseases and other major diseases. Once they are admitted, the de-toxification and medication to overcome physical and mental obstacles towards recovery. There are educational sessions on various aspects of alcoholism and its related behaviour. There are group therapies conducted everyday to help the addicts to overcome their inner problems, grief, shame, anxiety, anger, fear etc. and thus build up confidence and build up a healthy personality. Yoga and Meditation help them to concentrate on their mental and physical strength and also have faith in a Higher Power.

• Individual Counselling
  It is performed by the trained and experienced counsellors. It helps them to understand themselves and their problems and to redeem themselves from all that enslaves them. Three experienced counselors meet the addicts at least five times during the period of 21 days. They watch TV and Videos, listen to music, have common recreation, indoor and outdoor games, and work in flowergarden.

• Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting
  Every Sunday this meeting is conducted. In it the addicts have an occasion to share their experiences. The recovered addicts (ex-addicts) also participate in this meeting which helps the in-patients to build up confidence and to remain sober.

• Follow up Programme
  The follow up programme is a main component in the process of remaining sober. After the addict is discharged from the centre he is encouraged to visit the centre every month. Those who fail to do so, are telephonically reminded or visited personally to ensure that they remain sober. There had been 465 addicts who came for the follow up during this financial year.

• Family Counselling
  It is a part of the programme of the centre. The family members of the addict especially if married the spouse is met and counselled to know them in the family and how they can co-operate for mutual up building.

• Awareness Programmes:
  These were conducted to the GN students of Nirmala Hospital in the month of June 08. An awareness programme was held in August for the locals. 30 participants took active part in it. Again two awareness programmes were organized at Mulki in the months of February and March 09 in which 95 participated.

• Training Programmes:
  Fr. Deepak went to Delhi for a three months training programmes organized by NISD from September to December 08. On December 28th TTK Resource team came to Asha Kiran to give a day's training programme on the basics of counselling techniques. The counselling staff from five different centres namely Shimoga, Chitradurga, Hassan, Davangere and Chikmagalur participated. Sr. Bernardine Project Director of Puttur de-addiction centre gave a half day's programme on the relapse mechanism and how to deal with withdrawal symptoms to the staff of Asha Kiran on 26-06-08. She took a half a day's session to the patients (addicts) at Asha Kiran.

• Annual Day:
  It was on the 16th of November. It was a well organized programme. V. Rev. Fr. Vincent Furtado, the President of CKSK Society, presided over the function. Mrs. Rita Madtha, the Deputy Director of Women & Child Welfare Department of Shimoga District was the Chief Guest. All enjoyed the speeches and the cultural items. There were around 350 recovered addicts with their families who attended the programme. The sober addicts were felicitated with games and with prize distribution the function concluded.

• Future Challenges:
  Day by day the demand for admission also increases and we are distressed to send many back especially those coming from a long distance and from other districts. Here we are faced with the problem of increase in the number of addicts in the society and of finding out the root cause and of tackling it. We have planned a number of programmes on the school and college levels so that the younger generation do not fall victim to this menace.

• Monitoring and Inspection:
  Periodically the staff from Directorate of Women and Child Welfare, Shimoga District comes for inspection and gives their valuable suggestions to improve our ministry and to be more efficacious, to the society and to the addict. We express our thanks and gratitude to them.

• Sentiments of Gratitude:
  Asha Kiran has a full fledged staff consisting of 12 persons. Their selfless services are gratefully acknowledged. CKSK Society remains ever indebted to MSJE for the grant and support they give to run this apostolate effectively. Society is also indebted to the numerous benefactors and well wishers, sponsors who through their generosity and sacrifices contribute their mite to run the Centre with ease.

OFFICE BEARERS
 

Bankal Staff

CHIKKODI Staff


POTHNAL Staff


UJIRE Staff