Plus

Plus

Escape from drug hell
A monk on a mission to give society’s outcasts another chance.
Randima Attygalle reports.
How many young people languish in prison for drug-related offences? And how many of them will eventually return home as reformed men or women to serve society?

Does the responsibility of a civic-conscious nation end with putting the offenders behind bars or should we make use of the manpower that stagnates in prison for a worthy cause? These were the thoughts of Ven. Kuppiyawatte Bodananda Thero, for whom as a schoolboy at Nalanda College, Colombo, the gates of the Magazine Prison in Borella were an everyday sight. "I grew up in surroundings where the prison and the Maligawatte Magistrates' Court were on one side and Jayasekeraramaya was on the other. I used to wonder why those ending up in the first two could not be saved by those in the latter irrespective of their religion," he says.

Ven. Bodananda Thero is the founder of the Mithuru Mithuro Movement, which was recognized as the best non-governmental organisation for drugs control and rehabilitation, receiving the National Drugs Control Award for 2002, 2003 and 2004 presented by the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board. It was also acclaimed as the Best Centre in Asia by the Colombo Plan and as the Best Project 2003 by the International Federation of Non-Governmental Organisations. At present Ven. Bodananda Thero is the only member of the clergy serving the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board of Sri Lanka (NDDCB) and in recognition of his service, he has been honoured with the CYP Asia Award for excellence in youth work and the Best Rural Leadership Award presented by Sarvodaya.

The seeds of the Mithuru Mithuro Movement were planted when during his stay at the Bhikku Training Centre in Pelmadulla in 1984 he saw an article by Dr. Ranjith Amarasinghe, the then secretary to the Ministry of Justice on prison reforms in the 'Riviresa'. "I got in touch with Dr. Amarasinghe and we discussed the possibilities of negotiating with the Magistrates of Ratnapura and Balangoda for a start," said Ven. Bodananda Thero.

With the involvement of Rohini Perera, the Magistrate attached to the Circuit Courts of Rakwana, Ven. Bodananda Thero succeeded in obtaining court sanction to take several suspects under his wing at the Pelmadulla Bhikku Training Centre where he looked after them, even providing them food and clothing. Recognition and help came when the Attorney General's Department and the Police obtained state funding for the movement.

His next challenge was to overcome the protests of neighbouring villagers for giving refuge to those they called mera kalli (criminal gangs). "As laymen, it was natural that they were fearful as there were three young men who were more hostile than others. Among them was one who had the reputation of being the worst-feared robber in the Sabaragamuwa Province," says Ven. Bodananda who points out that the majority, however, had a genuine desire to find the correct path in life.

Ven. Bodananda's unconditional compassion touched not only the prisoners but their families as well. "Initially, those I managed to get released were not only drug addicts, but those indicted for grave offences. Some were husbands and fathers and I introduced some of their wives to the Sanasa programmes where today they draw an extra income through Sanasa-aided household industries," added Ven. Bodananda.

When the drug wave hit Sri Lanka in the mid-80s, former Commissioner of Prisons and Chairman of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board at that time, C.T. Jansz appealed to Ven. Bodananda to set up a body to rehabilitate drug addicts. The National Dangerous Drugs Control Board volunteered to finance the project. "It was difficult for me to accommodate the increasing number at the Bhikku Training Institute, so with the co-operation of Sarvodaya President A.T. Ariyaratne, we put up a 'home' on a spacious land in Pelmadulla where 'Mithuru Mithuro Sevana' stands today," explained Ven. Bodananda. Today there are several branches in various parts of the island and its city office is down Siri Dhamma Mawatha, Punchi Borella.

These homes now shelter not only drug addicts who have been released from prison, but also those who come on their own accord. "There are teenagers who are introduced to us by their families and many who have approached us to help re-build their lives. We categorise them according to their sex, age and the seriousness of addiction in directing them to a home," says Ven. Bodananda, adding that they are given a special diet with more concentration on liquids as they are prone to thirst. As to how the Movement is funded, Ven. Bodananda replies, "We do not have one particular source. The Colombo Plan, families of the inmates and various other philanthropists all contribute."

What is unique about the rehabilitation is how Ven. Bodananda fosters self-esteem and discipline through the Therapeutic Communication System (TSY) developed by New York Daytop International. Ven. Bodananda is a Certified Abuse Counsellor of this body and has had international exposure in several Asian and European countries. The substance of this therapy is 'behavioural management', through which a person is re-established in life to live successfully in society. "There's absolutely no medicine. What is important is creating a trustworthy environment in which the inmates are assigned responsibilities and are expected to look after their own well-being as well as of their fellow brothers and sisters," says Ven. Bodananda.

Duties are assigned according to their talents in areas such as the 'kitchen department, maintenance department, communication and environmental department'. "It is important to identify where each person's talent lies. Everyone is talented in something. Some are creative, some are good managers and one reason they were lured into drugs was the loss of appreciation from families and the school system," says Ven. Bodananda who strongly believes that appreciating a child's talent and developing it is vital in the process of making him a socially responsible citizen.

"Forcing a child to fulfil the unrealised dreams of parents inevitably leads to disaster. Guiding a child does not mean pressurising him to choose a subject in school or a career in which he has no interest," explains Ven. Bodananda. In his view a child whose talent and interests are neglected would very often rebel against the parents and drugs is one such channel.

Ven. Bodananda dispels the myth that only neglected or children from broken homes become drug addicts. "When parents over-protect their children, especially teenagers, exercising regimental authority over them and don't give them any breathing space, very often they rebel. They find acceptance among peers through drugs," explains Ven. Bodananda Thero.

At the end of the day, the root cause of every drug addict lies in the family unit itself, he feels, for when the parent-child, mother-father and teacher-student relationship is shattered, the child tends to seek trust and acceptance among peers who may lead him to drugs.

Sisith Fernando, now a member of the Ex-Addicts Association agrees. " It was difficult for me to say 'no' to my friends in school who introduced me to the habit. Those who refused to join them were sneered at and bullied." Sisith's parents even sought medical treatment for him abroad, but when all else failed he came to Ven. Bodananda. "Ven. Bodananda, whom I consider to be my second father made me what I am today," says Sisith who feels that he is indebted to him for helping him stand on his own feet. While working in his chosen field of textile industry, Sisith today guides many youngsters at the Movement's "Nisansala Home" as a rehabilitation instructor. "Ven. Bodananda's unconditional love for humanity is evident in the way he treats addicts of all races and religions. He respects all religions," adds Sisith who is a Christian.

Enil Perera, from Kurunegala who was handed over to Ven. Bodananda by the Police, made several attempts to run away from the "Apeksha Home". Today, he is the responsible coordinator and caretaker of Mithuru Mithuro Movement's city office in Borella, politely and patiently attending to numerous phone calls and visitors."I was heavily addicted to heroin and was furious with Ven. Bodananda who did not supply my daily dose which cost around Rs. 1200 at that time," says Enil with an embarrassed smile. "Now when I look back, I can't believe that it is the same Enil who was handed over to me among cries of protest," says Ven. Bodananda.

"I was made a man by Ven. Bodananda," says Anura Wijesinghe eyes brimming with tears. "His medicine was compassion and understanding," adds Anura finding his words with difficulty. Anura, a father of three who got addicted to heroin as a 'tester' under a drug dealer is employed as a driver today.

Mithuru Mithuro Movement's responsibility does not end at the point of releasing those rehabilitated into society. The Ex-Addicts Movement- comprising those who are rehabilitated is instrumental in organising annual get-togethers, elders' day celebrations and drug-prevention programmes. "Through these events, the idea of health, trustworthy relationships and social responsibility- the essence of the therapeutic communication system can be sustained," says Ven. Bodananda. Most of the rehabilitated youth are pursuing higher studies and vocational training and some have even gained international exposure as rehabilitation instructors.

"When peace and ahimsa meet, the fires of peril and sorrow diminish"- proclaims a poster on the walls of Mithuru Mithuro Movement's city office. Adds Ven. Bodananda, "The blame lies with adults for the waste of so many young lives. To remedy their errors, no 'drugs' will do, only compassion and patience."

Back to Plus