Catholic-run drug rehabilitation clinic helps users beat addiction

Published: 2004-04-22

MEXICALI, Mexico (CNS) -- Ricardo Leva has lost count of how many drug rehabilitation centers he has been through and how many times he has vowed to kick his heroin habit. Growing up in Tijuana, Mexico, a world drug trafficking capital just across the border from San Diego, he found drugs were never scarce. "There are dealers everywhere," said Leva, 48, who has spent half of his life shooting heroin. He said his drug use "started out innocently, just an experiment -- but you get hooked." Leva now receives treatment at a Catholic drug rehab clinic in Mexicali, also on Mexico's border with California. Father Ricardo Campos, who helps run the Casa de la Esperanza rehab clinic where Leva has lived for the last month, said Leva has a good chance of recovery if he completes his treatment program. Father Campos said about 65 percent of those who finish the intense three-and-one-half-month program stay clean, according to follow-up surveys of past patients.

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