Positive outcomes of Cure and Care Community Centres (CCSC): a community based treatment programme in Malaysia

In an effort to depart from the Compulsory Centre for Drug Users (CCDU), Malaysia has initiated the Cure and Care Service Centre (CCSC) programme to provide a community based treatment programme that provides a multitude of services related to drug and substance abuse rehabilitation to drug users, dependents and recovering persons. The objective of this study is to identify the outcomes of the CCSC service. The population of this study is the clients of CCSCs during the period of its operation (2011-2012). Ten CCSCs were randomly chosen with reference to their location in the four zones (North, South, East and Central) in the Malaysia Peninsular. A total of 232 clients responded to the study. The study found that the outcome of drug rehabilitation programmes at CCSCs was generally positive. The main out come was that clients’ involvement in criminal activities had reduced significantly after they had completed their CCSC programmes. The consumption of ketum leaves extracts, alcohol, drugs and even drug injecting behaviour had also reduced significantly. Almost 20% of the clients gained employment after being discharged from the programme. Also about one third of the clients have changed their lifestyles: they took care of their health, engaged in physical activities and exercises; played sports; took their medicine and relaxed sufficiently. Some were involved in religious activities, and almost half were seen to have made that change. Around 20% has started to renew relationships with their parents, siblings and other family members. A smaller number got involved in intimate relationships and even marriage. Many clients managed to obtain more permanent jobs, engaged in recreational sports activities and enhanced relationships with their families. Overall the outcome of the CCSC programme was successful. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/ijptsud.v1i2.7700