Partnership aims to transform drug abusers into useful citizens

The National Rehabilitation Centre has joined up with the Abu DhabI Tawteen Council to offer former substance abusers the chance to find employment and training opportunities.

ABU DHABI // Drug addicts who have been through rehabilitation will be offered employment and training to reintegrate them into society.

The National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) and Abu Dhabi Tawteen Council have launched a programme to give addicts a second chance to become contributing members of society. “We seek through this initiative to reintegrate UAE national substance abuse patients into society by enabling them to play an effective role in the development of the UAE,” said Dr Hamad Al Ghaferi, director general of the NRC.

The agreement allows patients from the centre to be nominated for training and career opportunities that Abu Dhabi Tawteen Council provides through different employers in the emirate.

“NRC is keen to provide assistance to substance abuse patients from their first day in the centre until recovery,” said Dr Al Ghaferi.

“We work towards making sure they are able to re-engage with their communities.

“Afterwards, we enable them to fulfil their national duty towards the UAE through their participation in the labour market.”

Abu Dhabi Tawteen Council said it hoped the partnership with NRC would create new jobs and training opportunities for discharged substance abusers.

The council said the partnership’s ability to rehabilitate and reintegrate former patients into society is designed to promote its participation in the growth of the UAE economy.