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Kontakten
- Vennesla 2003
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Kontakten
- Vennesla 2003
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Kontakten What
is Kontakten?
What
does Kontakten consist of?
Kontakten
has 5 beds where the drug addicts and alcoholics, who want to stay sober,
can live. They
also have a warm place where other drug addicts and alcoholics can go and
get a bed, food and a packed lunch. They can come here between
19.00-23.00, but they have to leave the place before 09.00 the next
morning. It is only room for 3-4 people at the time, so sometimes they
have to say no to some. Kontakten
consists of 3 persons who are
permanently employed, and 2 of these are night watchmen. They also have
about 18 other voluntary helpers that work in the café, in the bike
workshop and in the shop. Some of these are earlier drug addicts and alcoholics that have not
got a job yet. Every
Monday and Thursday people can come and get free food (komper). How
to get in contact with Kontakten:
Often
it is the family of the “victim” who
contacts Kontakten. First they have a meeting where they talk about the
problem. Afterwards they co-operate with the social office about what they
are going to do next. Kontakten
co-operates with other centres around the country, where the drug addicts
and alcoholics are detoxified. After
this stay they usually come back to Kontakten for rehabilitation back to
society. During
the 6 years Kontakten has existed there have been about 5-6 persons who
today have stopped using drugs. 5-6 persons doesn't seem much, but
there is a big difference from being addicted to being drug free. How
is it to work with drug addicts and alcoholics?
The
addicts that come to Kontakten are tired and seek help. To work with them
demands a great deal of patience. For those who are addicted it is a very
long and hard way to go, and many get relapse and regrets. Many struggle
with their every day life, and need help with simple things like brushing
their teeth. The
addicts at the Kontakten are in average between 25- 30 years old. What
are the chores to those at Kontakten?
Since
Kontakten is a Christian organization they have gatherings every morning
and meetings now and then. They do not work to convert the addicts, but
the clients often choose this way by their own. Religion becomes a
replacement for drug and alcohol. The addicts who live at Kontakten have their own duties. They have a working program where they do different things for Kontakten and for the municipality from 10.00- 14.00. They have to pick garbage in Vennesla once a week, and then they get money form the municipality which they spend on social gatherings like go-carting. More information here:
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