Helping drug addicts through the phone

(MENAFN- Arab News) RIYADH: The National Center for Addiction Counseling (NCAC) currently has 15 people answering calls from members of the public who are addicted to drugs or with family members that are afflicted.
According to a report in a local newspaper they work for 14 hours a day and guarantee confidentiality. The advice provided includes directing people to treatment centers and hospitals and how family members should deal with an addict.
The NCAC is one of the few centers that provide counseling over the telephone. It has been set up at the headquarters of the general secretariat of the National Commission for Drug Control on the orders of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif deputy premier and interior minister. Prince Mohammed is also the president of the NCDC.
The counselors explain how the law deals with drug addicts. This is to help those addicts fearing legal repercussions to seek treatment at specialized centers around the country.
They provide families advice on how to deal quickly with addicts who have lost complete control refuse treatment and are a danger to themselves and others.
Ali Al-Shaibani head of the medical and rehabilitation medical program at the center said that it provides counseling and advice on how addicts can seek treatment.
Abdul Rahman Al-Dakheel and Osama Al-Yousef specialists at the center said it was doing important work in the area of addiction by providing expert advice.
According to reports most callers are mothers wives and sisters of drug addicts aged between 20 and 30. The plan is to soon provide the service 24 hours a day seven days a week. The toll free number is 1955.