RUMAH PENAWAR’ S APPROACH, OFFERING DRUG ABUSERS A SECOND CHANCE

Drug addicts are being categorised as criminals, but there are some drug addicts who decide to try them due to having problems.

(Source: Dr Farhana Sabri)

PUNCAK ALAM - An ex-convict from Terengganu successfully freed himself from years of drug enslavement with the help and guidance from the authorities of Rumah Penawar, Puncak Alam.

Apiz (nickname), 37, is officially clean for seven years after being introduced to an Islamic non-coercive approach by the volunteers there.

According to him, this method used by this organisation is more effective than using forceful tactics or brainwashing to help addicts recover from their dependency.

Penawar Warisan Selangor and Kuala Lumpur is one of the non-government organisation (NGO) drug institutions and currently registered under Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) and National Anti Drugs Agency (AADK).

The manager, Yusri Osman, 41, stated that normal rehabs usually provide a six month program, but Rumah Penawar on the contrary, has no specific length of period.

Yusri said he and the other authorities get to decide whether a patient is ready or not to be released into the outside world.

One has to go through a few stages, starting from stage one ‘Time Management Programme’, followed by the second stage ‘Money Management Programme’.

“The same thing goes for marriage and having jobs. Once you’ve completed the ‘Money Management Programme’, only then one is allowed to get married,” said Yusri.

Currently, the number of drug abusers remains unchanged and it is acknowledged as an unavoidable and daily case in our country.

(Source: National Anti-Drug Agency (NADA) & Berita DIMENSi/Natasha Koh)

The miracle transition made by Apiz was witnessed by the founder himself, Encik Wan Abd Aziz, 59, commonly known as Pak Wan, as he explained how their main goal is to make drug abusers want to change for themselves instead of forcing them.

He mentioned that there is no conclusive solution to wipe off drug problems. Using the typical approach in most rehabilitation centres could not ensure total repentance as most patients would regress back to using the substances.

When asked if there were any runaways from the institution, Pak Wan admitted that there are some patients who chose to flee, but the amount was very tiny. This is due to the reason for rehabilitation being the person’s own will.

“We cannot force everyone to come here. From the starting point, there are three categories of patients. Negative One, Negative Two and Negative Three.

“For now, we do not accept patients from Negative Two and Three, those being the kids who are forced to register here because we currently lack manpower.

“Negative Three are kids that we pick up from the streets. If we see them, they will get picked up forcefully. We do not do that anymore,” he added during an interview with Berita DIMENSi at Rumah Penawar.

Meanwhile, Negative Two in that category are kids who are coerced to register by their family. Pak Wan stated that they strictly only accept those who are in Negative One, the ones who come by their own sheer will to change, regardless of their age.

Another value that might make patients here feel a little more peaceful throughout their journey in starting a new life is the bond created between everyone.

From the start, Rumah Penawar teaches everyone in the centre to hug each other after a handshake to show equal respect and ensure the patients feel accepted and welcomed without prejudice.

How Curiosity Killed The Cat

The ex-convict who has been imprisoned twice, once due to a urine test and the other for possessing drugs, was not always like this, as it all started during his childhood.

Apiz started smoking when he was 13-years-old and switched to drugs when he was 14, after hearing stories from his seniors about how ‘cool’ getting high was, eventually heightened his curiosity.

His first attempt was with marijuana, and from there, he gradually started using others, such as morphine or what the folks from Terengganu would call pokteh. He also used yaba, also known as pil kuda and ubat batuk, which is codeine that came from Johor.

According to Apiz, it only tastes good during the first attempt at euphoria, the next time attempt is because you can no longer resist the temptation.

Ever since his first day of getting high, he started asking for money from his parents. Sometimes he would even lie, steal, or sell things to get the substances.

Apiz admitted that he never used his own money for drugs. Most of the time, he got it for free by delivering drugs to buyers from his supplier. He earned his part through his share.

If the supplier gets caught by the police, he no longer gets the drug and has to find it on his own or buy it from other suppliers.

The Defining Moment

Apiz came to Rumah Penawar seven years ago in January 2015, when he was about 30 years old.

He did not come here voluntarily, though. He only came here because of his father and was sent here by his family members.

He agreed to go because he was experiencing withdrawal but ended up fleeing as he could not take it.

He fled back home to Terengganu, and two weeks later, he relapsed to stop the pain from the withdrawal.

Apiz stayed home for about eight to nine months, and then his heart whispered to go back and try again, voluntarily.

Apiz (middle) was telling one of our DIMENSi members how willingly he came back to Rumah Penawar.

(Source: Berita DIMENSi/Natasha Koh)

Turning Over A New Leaf

Apiz explained how this place indirectly distracts you from thinking about relapsing as they have provided you with a packed schedule to focus on every day.

Every morning, inhabitants are required to attend programs until 12.00 pm. After lunch and the Dhuhr prayer, they are all free for leisure time.

Some of them would use that time to rest while others, who have jobs will go to work.

“Since I am now at the second stage of the program, I now work at the office department here as I would like to contribute back to Rumah Penawar and help fellow newcomers,” said Apiz.

During the evening, they would all go out to exercise, and after Maghrib, everyone would recite Yassin, followed by a religious class taught by an ustaz (religious teacher).

The program usually ends at midnight, as they would go to sleep after a long day and wake up again for qiamullail (night prayers) and perform ibadah (spiritual prayer) such as praying and reciting the Quran to shield themselves from intrusive thoughts about their past habits.

“I do admit, I once felt like this routine was getting boring as it is repetitive, but I realised that I have come this far and I will not simply quit just because of that.

“I also promise myself that I will never turn to drugs and pills to endure the pain of withdrawal no matter the circumstances. Due to that, I’m officially clean for seven years,” said the former addict humbly.

Penawar - A Healing Sanctuary

Apiz believes that the chances he would relapse are pretty high if he stayed outside, but staying in a jemaah (community) is highly recommended as it prevents him from former habits as well as intrusive thoughts.

The authorities there not only monitor the inhabitants closely to ensure safety but also educate them with Islamic teachings, prophets’ seerah (history), ibadahs, and plenty more.

“Yes, you can stop doing drugs from home, but where will you get knowledge about our religion? Not everyone is willing to learn and do it all by themselves at home.

“It’s important to have guidance and a support group. Plus, one cannot fully let go of the addict's behaviour if one hasn’t gone through the sobering up and healing process,” he added.

Apiz explained how there used to be many of his group friends, but now there are only three to four people left, including himself.

They all died young, in their 20s, due to overdoses of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

He also mentioned that despite him being grateful to Allah for choosing him and giving him His guidance, he was deeply heartbroken knowing that most of his friends were not as lucky as him.

Apiz received a piece of devastating news about his best friend, who was slightly younger than him, who died in the toilet because of an overdose.

“I also had plans with my other friends to come here together. They told me to go first, and they would come after. Up until now, I am still here waiting for them,” said Apiz.

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