اخبار البحرين – وطن نيوز
W6nnews.com ==== وطن === تاريخ النشر – 2026-06-25 22:58:00
Ayman Shakal – “Khotwa” is the first free Bahraini center to protect women from the trap of abuse and addiction – “Shabu” infiltrates young people via “Location” and WhatsApp… and great efforts from the “Interior Ministry” – 68.9% recovery rate continues… and young people aged 20-40 are the most targeted category – “alternative punishments” and psychological rehabilitation tools for transforming addicts into productive energies On the occasion of World Addiction Recovery Day, statistics from the Addiction Recovery Association revealed a partnership and coordination between Multiple bodies, to combat addiction and protect young people from this scourge, after the number of beneficiaries of the recovery programs provided by the association increased from 144 cases in 2024 to 215 cases in 2025, targeting the age group between 20-40 years. In an interview with Al-Watan, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Adel bin Rashid Busaiba, presented a summary of the association’s work over 13 years of accumulated experience, the “Step for the Safe Path Center,” the first free facility dedicated to women’s recovery in the Kingdom, the success achieved by the association at a rate of 68.9% among those recovering, and the role of “alternative punishments” in reintegrating those recovered back into society. Busaiba noted that cooperation with judicial authorities and the alternative punishments program contributed to strengthening the community role of the association, as it provided the opportunity For a group of beneficiaries to benefit from rehabilitation and treatment programs instead of engaging in society as an effective individual who has an impact on society. He said: “Based on the association’s experience extending for more than 13 years in the field of recovery from addiction, we welcome any opportunities for cooperation with specialized institutions and centers in the Gulf Cooperation Council and Arab countries.” Regarding the reality of the beneficiaries, the association’s programs, and areas of development to combat abuse and addiction, we had this dialogue: – What is the number of registered cases with you during the last year? Do you see a worrying increase? The number of registered cases for the year 2024 is 144 beneficiaries. While the number of registered cases for the year 2025: 215 beneficiaries, and we deal with frequenting the association as an advantage, because awareness among families and individuals has become supportive of the patient’s presence in the association in search of treatment and rehabilitation opportunities. In addition, the association receives employees of alternative punishments, and as usual, the association’s doors remain open to all citizens of the Gulf states, Arab countries, and others. – What age group is most vulnerable to addiction in Bahrain currently? How many are there? The disease of addiction largely targets the youth group, and Bahrain does not separate much from the regional environment in monitoring cases, as they are mostly between the ages of (20 to 40) years, and this reinforces the importance of confrontation, and developing methods of prevention and treatment, as well as empowering community partnerships to carry out their duties in the process of combating drugs by spreading awareness and implementing drug prevention programs that are mostly smart and attractive to the emerging group and young people. – Are there cases of relapse among your recoveries? What is the success rate in treatment programs? The nature of the disease of addiction is that it is regressive, and those recovering may need additional effort in changing their previous environment that caused addiction, and they may weaken themselves when they intentionally stop continuing the association’s aftercare programs. However, there is a significant increase in the rate of continued recovery among the beneficiaries of the association’s program, as it is estimated at 68.9% of those who completed the treatment and rehabilitation program. – What is the most dangerous narcotic substance currently widespread in Bahrain? How do you reach young people? Shabu or (crystal meth) The most common method is to use the phone by sending the geographical location where the material is available in a WhatsApp message. However, with the efforts of the Ministry of the Interior and the Drug Control Administration, who spare no effort in drying up the sources of drugs through the outlets or through prosecutions, detection and monitoring, the criminals are weakened, and their hope of contaminating society with the scourge of drugs is disappointed. They have our sincere thanks and appreciation. – Do you receive complaints from young people who have fallen victim to addiction due to incorrect prescriptions or sedative medications? In the process of addiction, young people learn to use psychiatric medications incorrectly, but this is their fault in the first place, as the medications are prescribed based on the pathological diagnosis. It has warnings in use, which doctors often seek to explain to patients, but the culture of use that brings moodiness among addicts is their choice, and in general the treatment and rehabilitation program in the association reinforces the right choice by staying away from using psychiatric medications for the purpose of abuse. – In light of the increasing number of quantities of drugs on the rise, what is the role of the association in combating this scourge and protecting individuals from it? The association, through its technical and administrative team, conducts periodic awareness campaigns, which consist of educating people of all categories about the harm they cause. The scourge of drugs and its impact on individuals and society is significant, and its health and psychological damage, as the association’s team is represented by psychologists, recovery counselors, and nurses. Each one of them does his job by focusing on the negative aspects of this dangerous scourge, and explaining the steps and mechanisms for dealing with addicts and how to detect them in homes, schools, workplaces, or public gatherings by observing some indicators and changes. – What does the establishment of a women’s center for drug recovery represent? Praise be to God – we at the Addiction Recovery Association – believe that establishing a women’s center for drug recovery (Step for the Safe Path Center) is a major qualitative leap in the subject of treating female addicts from the scourge of drugs. It also represents boldness and courage for the reality that exists in society, and taking responsibility through the cases that come to the association’s attention or through other clinics, for a number of sisters who suffer from the disease of drug addiction. It is considered the first free addiction treatment center for women, to embrace a certain number of sisters who have the desire and will to recover from this scourge for treatment in this center, which represents for them hope of getting out of this serious disease to build their lives again. And they will have a role as productive sisters in Bahraini and Gulf society. – Will there be cooperation between the men’s recovery center and the women’s center? The establishment of the “Step Center for the Women’s Security Path” is based on the accumulated experience of working in the Drug Recovery Association for 13 years, which represents a great experience for the women’s center as it will begin from where the men’s recovery center has finished, and this establishes the center’s ability to continue networking in the qualitative and inter-relational relationship with all parties and relevant authorities regarding the treatment of addicts in the Ministry of Interior and the Al-Moayyed Center. For psychiatry, with private hospitals, psychiatrists, and with various treatment centers in the countries of the Arabian Gulf, in order to fill the shortage that they currently have in treating female addicts, as there is no special center for women to treat drug addiction. Thanks to God, we have to have in the Kingdom of Bahrain a specialized center for women to treat addicts, and provide quality service in the recovery and treatment program, with the presence of cadres with specialization and experience in the field of treating addiction to provide qualitative expertise in an independent and special place for women. – You mentioned that the association receives employees of alternative punishments; How did this cooperation with the judicial authorities affect the pace of work in the association, and do the rehabilitation programs for this group differ from other volunteers for treatment, and are there inspiring stories in that experience that we can share with them? Cooperation with the judicial authorities and the alternative punishments program contributed to strengthening the societal role of the association, as it provided the opportunity for a group of beneficiaries to benefit from the rehabilitation and treatment programs instead of engaging in society as an effective individual who has an impact on society. This was also reflected in the increase in the number of beneficiaries and the expansion of the scope of services provided. As for the rehabilitation programs, the basic therapeutic principles remain the same for all beneficiaries, except that some cases referred under alternative punishments may require additional follow-up related to adherence to the therapeutic programs and coordination with the competent authorities, in order to achieve the goals of rehabilitation and community reintegration. The association has witnessed many successful models of people who were able to overcome the stage of addiction, complete rehabilitation programs, and then return to their family and professional lives in a positive manner. – You mentioned striving to transform recovered women into “Productive sisters in society”; Does the association have actual partnerships with the private sector or government agencies to provide job opportunities or vocational training for recovered people (men and women) to ensure that they do not relapse? Due to emptiness or financial need? The association believes that recovery is not complete with treatment alone, but rather requires empowering the beneficiary to be a productive and active individual in society. Therefore, it seeks to build and strengthen partnerships with government agencies, private sector institutions, and civil society organizations to provide training, vocational rehabilitation, and employment opportunities for recovered men and women. The Association also works to support initiatives that help beneficiaries acquire professional and life skills that enhance their stability and reduce setback factors associated with unemployment or vacancy. – Given the spread of “Shabo” through location technologies and WhatsApp, is the Association considering developing technical tools or smart applications for awareness-raising targeting young people in a manner that keeps up with These modern methods of distribution? The association realizes the importance of keeping up with the technical developments used in promoting narcotic substances and their types, including social media applications and location services. From this standpoint, it seeks to develop awareness-raising electronic content and enhance its presence across electronic platforms to reach young people in their language and tools. The association is also constantly studying opportunities to benefit from modern technologies and smart applications in the areas of awareness, psychological support and electronic guidance, which contributes to enhancing early prevention and raising the level of community awareness. – You mentioned the presence of a technical and administrative team that includes specialists, recovery counselors and nurses; Are there periodic training programs for these cadres to keep pace with the rapid development in the types of manufactured drugs and methods of dealing with them psychologically? The association is keen to continuously invest in the development of its technical and administrative cadres through participation in training courses, workshops, and specialized programs related to addiction treatment, mental health, counseling, and recovery. This comes with the aim of keeping pace with developments related to newly developed narcotic substances and modern methods of administration, in addition to developing skills for dealing with different cases in accordance with the best approved professional practices. – Since the association’s doors are open to citizens of the Gulf states and Arab countries, is there a tendency to hold official “protocols” of cooperation with addiction treatment centers in those countries to exchange experiences or standardize treatment standards, especially since you have a “resource of experience” extending for 13 years? Based on its experience extending for more than 13 years in the field of addiction recovery, The Association welcomes any opportunities for cooperation with specialized institutions and centers in the Gulf Cooperation Council and Arab countries. The association seeks to expand the scope of partnerships and sign memorandums of understanding and cooperation protocols that contribute to the exchange of expertise and successful experiences, and to benefit from the best therapeutic and rehabilitative practices, in a way that enhances the quality of services provided to beneficiaries, and supports joint regional efforts in confronting the problem of addiction and its societal effects.
