Donation to new centre for drug abusers

Middlesea Group has presented computer equipment to Caritas Malta, to be used to run the Church organisation's new Harm Reduction Shelter for drug and alcohol abusers.

"The smooth running of the shelter requires the implementation of a computerised system of client assessment," Mgr Victor Grech, Caritas Malta director, said.

He said the system would also allow accurate records of clients to be kept, as well as updated statistics of the services offered by Caritas and of local trends which would be shared with local and overseas agencies.

The equipment was presented by David G. Curmi, Middlesea Valletta Life general manager, and Simon Camilleri, Middlesea Insurance plc's assistant general manager.

Mr Curmi said Caritas played an indispensable role in assisting persons caught up in a web of drug abuse and who are working towards abstinence.

The shelter provides a structured day programme for persons who abuse drugs and alcohol and who are not yet in a position to work towards total abstinence. Close contact is maintained with other professionals, such as probation officers, medical doctors and psychiatrists, among others.

Clients who are also homeless have the opportunity to take up temporary residence at the shelter, which performs crisis interventions and provides support and therapy to clients. At the centre, Caritas, together with other professionals, assists its clients to achieve eventual sobriety and freedom from drug use, regain their dignity and establish themselves as useful and responsible members of society.

Via its harm reduction day programme, Caritas is expected to provide a service to an average of 20-25 clients a day. The shelter will initially accommodate up to 10 homeless persons with addiction per day.