“Many people think that we are GARBAGE. But back there, we can start thinking that we are the garbage, which can be recycled becoming worth goods, even becoming a very VALUABLE ONES. Do not be afraid of failure because failure is the experience for a better CHANGE. Show the world that we deserve to be praised”.
-A.R.I (sahabat plato)
Mortality due to drugs abuse is estimated at 104,000 people at the aged of 15 years old (The National Narcotics Agency). This condition is serious because the teenagers are young generations. There is so-called Juvenile delinquency, which is a symptom of pathological socially in children and adolescents due to a form of social neglect. Those children who got this symptom developed a form of deviant behavior; one of them is consuming drugs. Social and cultural influences are major roles in the formation or conditioning of aberrant behavior in adolescents. In this condition, full support of the social environment in a positive way is needed both of the prevention effort to avoid or prevent order not reoccur deviant behavior that has been done by adolescent. This condition inspired the Regional Representative of East Java-Bali in making an activity that could be closer to those young people for sharing experiences and motivations.
Coinciding in Ramadan which is full of blessed and joy month, On Sunday, July 12th 2015, VDMS East-Java and Bali held an Iftar in Plato Foundation at Jojoran Street I / 96 A Surabaya. Plato Foundation is a place of rehabilitation and aftercare for drugs users. Several staff of Plato and friends who joined in the rehabilitation and aftercare programs followed the Iftar. This event starts at 16:00 to 19:30 pm and the event was participated by 8 alumni and 30 children from Plato Foundation.
The friends who joined at the program of rehabilitation and aftercare are ranged from17-21 years old. Most of them live on the streets and have diverse backgrounds. There are dropping out of school, have married, and had done juvenile delinquency as “robber”, engage in a gang fight, etc. They are joining this rehabilitation and aftercare program for three months. They will also receive some coaching creativities and soft skills improvement according to their capabilities.
In relation to the Iftar activity, it was very interesting, attractive and exciting. Firstly, the event began with the introduction from VDMS Alumni. We introduced ourselves enthusiastically. One of us also introduced what VDMS is. The friends of Plato introduced themselves with his trademark greeting “Good evening Brother and Sister”. When the call to prayer came, the Iftar began. The atmosphere was more interesting and interactive when some friends told their daily activities and VDMS Alumni asked a few questions. They also explained that every day there are some routines that they do for instance getting up early, cleaning-up, morning meetings, sharing feeling, having session of materials, exercising their creativity, worship together and so forth. They also shared their experiences before attending rehabilitation program, such as telling the types of drugs they use, an activity with a community of other drugs user, the condition of the family and others. The activities continued with the performance of music from Plato’s Friends. Before the activity ended, AA VDMS gave motivation to always eager to achieve what they aspire. The activities ended with read 12 narcotics anonymous together.
Written by Annisa Taqwa Zazi Muslim – VDMS Alumna from Hang Tuah University (UHANTU)
