Shoura, head of the addiction section at Al-Amal Psychiatric Complex here, has said that 70 percent of the complex's recovered drug addicts go back to using drugs. He attributed this relapse to the free time resulting from unemployment and to the negative influence of undesirable companions. Al-Shoura also noted an increase in the addiction of youths between the ages of 15 and 17. He pointed out that last year 1,600 persons, including 15 females, most of whom were young girls, were admitted to the complex. In addition to hospitalization, the complex provides followup care service to recovered addicts through its out-patient clinics. The service is aimed at helping them resist the temptation to go back to drug use. The complex has signed agreements with several organizations to train and employ recovered patients, including the Saudi Credit and Saving Bank and the Abdul Latif Jameel Programs, and it is cooperating with charitable societies working for the rehabilitation of women addicts. Okaz met a former heroin user, FS, who was addicted for 15 years, during which time he was jailed thrice and a number of those in his drug-using group died. He has been in the complex under treatment for two and a half months and is, he said, determined not to go back to using drugs. Q.A., who had been treated in the complex and suffered relapses seven times, started using drugs at the age of 22. He lost his wife and many relatives and friends because of his 20-year addiction. Now, he said, he is more determined than ever after seeing the experiences of several of his friends who recovered and became good members of the society.
