Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Calcutta Samaritans Report
Calcutta Samaritans Report
Jyotin Bhat| Sushant Mohan| Ashok George| Yashovardhan Prabhakar| Aayush Sinha
Acknowledgements
This manual is based on the experiences and hard work of those running the Calcutta Samaritans,
Arunoday Midway home and the detoxification centre. This includes Mr. Debashis Mr. Prashanto, Mr.
Abhishek , Ms. Jayashree and Mr. Ramadri ,. If the risks involved in supporting drug addiction recovery
were not taken, services to support drug users with recovery knowledge and methods would not have
been explored and offered to people. This project was ahead of its time when it started and now moves
forward with involvement from government. The authors also acknowledge the efforts of peer motivator
and volunteers like Chou and Lal at the Arundoday Mid-way home.
About us
EMMANUEL MINISTRIES
Emmanuel Ministries Calcutta is a Charitable Trust, registered in 1985, serving the poor, marginalized
and vulnerable communities within, and outside, the city of Kolkata, India. “Let each one have his dignity
and a chance to be on the road… to freedom.”
OUR VISION
A movement of affirmed and empowered communities and individuals who in turn hold out hope and
dignity to others.
OUR MISSION
Our activities through the various departments include listening, befriending, counseling, awareness and
education, health care, prevention, intervention, treatment, rehabilitation, training, capacity building,
advocacy and campaigning on behalf of the homeless, hand rickshaw pullers and ragpickers, self-help
groups and job skills development. Our aim is to improve the quality of life of the individual and re-
integrate him into society as a contributing, self-respecting citizen.
How to Use the Standard Operations (SOP) Manual
This document’s primary purpose is to serve as a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) manual. This SOP
can be used to orient new staff to the overall operations of the Center, while also serving as a useful
resource for staff to review specific procedures in detail. It is recommended that this manual be reviewed
by all staff and updated on an annual basis at a minimum or ‘as needed’, if changes are needed prior to the
annual update. In addition to supporting those at the Calcutta Samaritans, this manual makes it possible to
share the Center’s methodology with other individuals and organizations interested in developing
community-based drug recovery support centers. It should be noted that the two program phases
(Detoxification, Rehabilitation) are sequential phases through which all new clients will pass, however
once the client becomes involved in the Center’s Case Management component, they are then assigned to
one of two sections of the program:
Active Drug Users Program, Home-Based Detoxification, or Relapse Prevention. As their participation in
the program continues, so do the Case Management services; Case Management is ongoing for any
Center client. While the manual is constructed so the reader is able to read from beginning to end in
sequential order, it is also designed to be useful for referencing or reviewing a particular procedure or
tool.
The major sections of the manual are as follows:
• Overview: A brief description of the Calcutta Samaritans
• Recruitment: Identifying and reaching potential center clients.
• Orientation: Providing information regarding the Center’s program, services, benefits of participation,
and expectations of clients.
• Case Management: Conducting detailed client assessments, assigning prime counselors, matching
clients to appropriate program components and services, developing action plans, and monitoring the
ongoing progress of each client
• Individual Counseling: Providing each client with individual counseling to guide them through the
recovery process, ensure program compliance and assist clients in Introduction Drug Recovery &
Reintegration Standard Operating Procedure Manual 15 addressing personal issues. Individual counseling
includes links to ancillary services (health care, social skills, job support, family counseling), and each
type of service is described in individual sections of the manual.
• Active Drug Users Program: Engaging and supporting those individuals who are actively using drugs to
reduce the harm associated with current use, as well as encourage future participation in drug
detoxification and recovery group components.
• Relapse Prevention: Providing a series of education and counseling sessions designed to support clients
through the immediate post-detoxification phase during which the possibility of relapse is greatest.
• Post-Graduation/Support Group: Providing ongoing counseling sessions and support group sessions
after graduation from the relapse prevention program at the Center to sustain a long-term recovery
process.
• Social Skills and Job Support: Providing skills development for social interactions as well as
employability, offering short-term employment at the Center as a part of labor therapy, and assisting in
the development and implementation of individual plans to seek and obtain employment in an appropriate
community setting.
DETOXIFICATION CENTRE
Administrative Hierarchy
The client’s responsibility rests with the Administration at the Detoxification centre. In the event of any
issue with the client, the family is informed immediately. In the event of any medical problem, the client
maybe shifted to a hospital upon consultation with the guardians and in house doctor.
In case of death of the patient, the local police is informed and due process is followed.
DETOXIFICATION CENTRE
Therapeutic Care SOP
3. If the individual is asked by his family and friends to get admitted and make yourself better.
The people can physically come to the EMC detox centre or staff may be sent to pick up the clients.
When a client has made a decision on the facility, they contact the centre and make arrangements for
getting their treatment underway
Documentation
The client then commits himself to the detoxification program. He completes the documentation process
himself or with the help of his family or friends. He agrees to the date of arrival, rules about what they
may or may not bring with themselves and any remaining questions they might have about the duration
stay, finances, and visitation
As per the government regulations they sign a form allowing the EMC to keep them in the detoxification
centre for a minimum of one month for the initial detoxification process. Following this period an
evaluation of the condition may be made and the client’s stay in detox may be further extended.
Medical Check Up
The first thing to do when a client is committed into the EMC is evaluation. There is an intake
assessment. A physician or nurse will evaluate the individual’s current state of intoxication and any
withdrawal symptoms that are occurring as well as gather other needed information regarding the
individual’s history, physical health, and mental health. It must first be determined if the person is under
the influence of any drugs. This can be done both with physical testing, such as looking at blood alcohol
content (BAC), other physical tests, and behavioural signs. An individual entering a detox program with a
high BAC that indicates severe alcohol intoxication would require a different approach than someone
entering without such a level of intoxication. The same is true for signs of any other drug intoxication
occurring in the person.
Based on the information given to the team by the client regarding the type of drug use, amounts,
frequency, etc., the team can determine the general effects of any withdrawal symptoms and their
severity. The team can also determine if the individual is experiencing any withdrawal symptoms. This
information can help prepare the detox protocol.
Medical History
To further facilitate the process, the client has to give his/her detailed history, any medical conditions
he/she may have or had earlier. They should also give correct information of the substance/s they are
abusing. This document is an essential component of the detox because the medications provided will be
dependent upon this information
A person who presents with a complicated medical history can alter the program of detox. For instance,
someone with a history of stroke or extremely high blood pressure will be treated differently than
someone without these issues. An individual with a condition that requires medical monitoring, such as
diabetes, will need to be considered for a different level of care that an individual who has no such issue.
Recreational activities
At the detoxification centre the clients are not just exposed to the path to a new life through medication
and counselling. The clients also are encouraged to pursue interests that take their mind off to different
world. Games like carom and chess ensure that clients can have learn group dynamics and have a solid
fun activity everyday helping in calming the mind.
Games and puzzles can be used to stretch the mind and introduce different ideas, but very importantly
they can also be used to entertain people. We think that relaxation and diversion should not be
underestimated. Relapse fears can be reduced greatly if the clients find themselves surrounded with other
simple and addictive games. The great part about this is clients are playing with themselves, reinforcing
the fact that they have to work together, helping each other to come out of this life.
Apart from the games, the clients also engage in occasional movie watching in the main hall. This
exposes them to the other aspects in life. Aspects to which they had bid goodbye and turned to drugs for
respite. Occasional exposure to on-screen romances and a stable family life ignite a new passion in the
clients to come back to the life they were leading before they fell into the trap of addiction. Thus a holistic
approach is followed even at the detox centre for natural process of gradual repulsion towards substance
abuse.
Counselling sessions
At Calcutta Samaritans we believe that there is no disease that can’t be treated with the right intervention.
And by this we intend to take the clients on a path of scientific counselling as well as spiritual
intervention. The detoxification centre has 3 well trained counsellors who work day and night to ensure
that the clients have a stable mental health during the abstinence period. Most clients have complained
that the physical withdrawal symptoms disappear after 10-15 days of medication, but it is the mental pain
and depression that make the time very difficult to bear. Counsellors ensure that no issues of the client
goes unheard.
Spiritual counselling is also a big part of the “treatment”. It is through the belief in God and the power
that we get in God’s trust that we encourage our clients to come out strong. Quoting from Bible, “ I can
do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Such a system ensures that the clients feel that there is
still hope. It is this hope that takes him forward.
After one month at detox, a client is sent to rehabilitation center if the medical staff at detox
center deems it fit for the client ( doc: intake form)
Once he is physically free of drugs, he is sent to the rehabilitation center for the mental cleaning
process
At the rehabilitation center, the client is requested to undergo a disciplined routine that will take
care of all the needs that he has.
Here the client starts his journey to sobriety and
The main course of action taken there is to follow the 12 principles which revolve around
spirituality
All the needs of the clients are taken care irrespective of the health conditions the client has
The client is expected to follow the 12 principles whole heartedly
The client is also expected to follow the daily routine which includes different type of tasks such
as sports, prayers, maintaining the center and developing their personality
Once a client is accustomed to the ways of the rehabilitation center, he/she has to work on their
sobriety
Here the client is kept for a minimum of four months of observation where he takes part in the
daily routine as specified by the center
The clients are assigned the job of maintaining the day to day activities of the center on a
rotational basis
Further, the counsellor deliberates with the client if he/she should extend the stay or not
Group walks and physical training sessions early in the morning help clients get acquainted with
each other apart from maintaining physical fitness
Clients are also actively involved in cleaning and maintain their own rooms as well as the
center(This helps them maintain a clean and healthy center without employing anyone from
outside)
A regular GD session encourages clients discuss various issues among themselves and develops a
bonhomie between them
Clients also keep in touch with the daily happenings that take place around the world through a
newspaper reading session
Center provides the clients with good sporting infrastructure where they can play outdoor games
like volleyball, football, cricket and indoor sports like carom and ludo
Client can also relax himself/herself by watching television
Clients maintain a diary in which they reflect their daily thoughts and development
A prayer session is held each day so that client can attach himself to service of god and help
himself on the path of sobriety
Apart from this clients are given time to time meals, tea and snacks which is prepared by a cook.
Clients are given healthy food that helps them get back the nutrition back in their bodies
DAILY ROUTINE
10:45 pm 9:50-10:00 pm
Lights Out Devotion
On Sundays, there is no PT Morning walk and is replaced by T.D.A , GD is replaced by Lunch +
Rest and reading session is replaced by leisure time
On Wednesday and Sunday, Post Mortem and Devotion are replaced by a movie screening
Also special food is prepared at midway home on special occasions like festivals and birthdays of
clients
Festivals are celebrated with great enthusiasm and clients participate in organizing special
programs on these festivals
On any usual day the activities are overseen by the counsellor and in absence of any counsellor the
direction is given to the senior most volunteer over. In any unusual case too, the counsellor is called up
and further actions are taken.
In case of the demise of any client, the body is handed over to the family members/Guardian and in
absence of any, the last rites are performed by the Emanuel Ministry as per the bond signed by the client
with the Emanuel Ministry.