Church rehab center inspires drug addicts to start similar centers

Published: 2007-04-11

DHAKA, Bangladesh (CNS) -- A Catholic rehabilitation center in Bangladesh has inspired more than 50 former drug addicts to start similar centers throughout the country. Bangladesh Rehabilitation and Assistance Center for Addicts, or BARACA, has helped more than 1,800 drug addicts since it was begun in 1988 by Caritas Bangladesh. Caritas Bangladesh is the local affiliate of Caritas Internationalis, an international network of Catholic relief, development and social service agencies. "Many of the de-addiction centers in Bangladesh have been inspired by BARACA," said Tarun Gayen, psychologist and founder of the Society for Community Health, Rehabilitation, Education and Awareness center in Dhaka. "It is our role model." Gayen told Catholic News Service that he joined BARACA as a counselor in 1992 upon the recommendation of a friend, who underwent its four-month residential rehabilitation program. After seven years of service at the center, Gayen left BARACA and founded his own center.

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