Anti-Drug Social Work Practices in Shenzhen
禁毒社工的深圳实践
By Wang Huixian， July 8, 2014
Source: Philanthropy Times （公益时报）
Link: http://www.gongyishibao.com/newdzb/html/2014-07/08/content_9277.htm?div=0
June 26 marked the International Day against Drug Abuse and anti-drug publicity and campaigns have been carried out throughout China. State regulations have recently expressed support of community organizations participating in drug treatment services. In the city of Shenzhen, anti-drug social workers (禁毒社工) have emerged as important stakeholders in anti-drug publicity. Starting in 2007 with a pilot social service program, Shenzhen now has eight social service agencies with a total of 122 social workers engaged in anti-drug services.
On July 3, 2014, an anti-drug seminar was held in Shenzhen, which brought together social experts, academics, social workers and others involved in the field to explore the status of the anti-drug movement in Shenzhen and sharing innovative ways to combat drugs. Currently, a lot of government funding is allocated towards fighting drug-related crimes, while less funding is given to prevention campaigns to address the root cause of these problems.
This article outlines some ways certain social service organizations provide support to those struggling with drug addiction. For example, social worker Liu Chuanlong created a Shenzhen drug network, which provides services for addicts and their families. Liu also has tried to build a “progressive drug counseling ” approach to treatment that would provide a more long term solution for addicts, rebuild former addicts’ self confidence and more generally provide more holistic rehabilitation. Given that many of the people they work with have been using drugs for many years, progressive treatment, counselling, and forming professional relationships with family members is be a more fitting solution to help solve the problem.
Translation by Ezra Stoller
