__ Solvent abuse is a major problem for many young people in Kolkata and Howrah Station is home to many homeless people. In 2005, a Rehabilitation and Intervention programme was initiated as well as a Drop in Centre – Howrah DIC (Drop in Centre for Solvent Addicted Children).

This was followed by the setting-up of a Rehabilitation Home, Punorjibon, in August 2005.


The drug rehabilitation project’s aims are to:

• Rehabilitate children after detoxification to lead a drug free life
• Place these children in formal schools/ hostels
• Provide vocational training
• Provide jobs through referrals
• Support individuals towards independent living.

 
Chetla Open Shelter

A drop-in centre for adolescent substance abusers was founded in the Chetla area of Kolkata in 2005.

The Centre provides love, psychological counseling, nutritional support and mainstreaming of boys into school, which has been salvation for most of them. Substance abuse has almost stopped. As well as attending school, these teenage boys now enjoy dancing, drama, sports, singing etc.