Launched more than a year ago, the Prison-based Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Care Programme is already transforming the lives of hundreds of inmates. The programme through a series of sessions and activities helps individuals overcome drug addiction and reintegrate into society. In this story, we take a look at the daily routine of the inmates undergoing the treatment programme and the steps they take in their journey towards recovery and rehabilitation.
For these inmates, their day begins from as early as 6 AM.
After a simple breakfast, they gather in a multipurpose hall to start their first session: prayers for their mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.
This marks the beginning of the Prison-based SUD Treatment and Care Programme, which is followed by a military drill. It is designed to provide holistic care, focusing not only on recovery from addiction but also on the mental and emotional healing of each participant.
They are then guided into group therapy sessions, where facilitators from The PEMA provide counselling on coping mechanisms, relapse prevention, and self-control.
Here, they learn to recognise and address triggers that could lead to relapse, a crucial step in preparing for reintegration into society. The sessions held throughout the day are anchored around an internationally recognised 12-step recovery programme.
Inmates at Chamgang Central Prison in Thimphu say that the treatment has been life-changing.
An inmate said “Since I had been using drugs for a very long time, it was very hard to cope after being arrested and convicted. However, the peer mentorship, treatment programme, and guidance from the professional counsellors at The PEMA have helped me significantly. The programme is not just beneficial to us, but also to the other inmates in the different blocks.”
Another inmate said “The programme has greatly helped me. Initially, when I was convicted and sent here, I simply thought I would stop using drugs, but I didn’t know how to avoid it or what to do. Since attending the programme, I’ve been improving and feeling more positive every day. We have counsellors from The PEMA who guide us daily, teaching us how to reintegrate back into society once we are released. For this, we are truly grateful to His Majesty The King, Her Majesty The Queen, and The PEMA.”
“Before my current nine-year sentence, I was sentenced to five years for the same offence. At that time, I didn’t have the opportunity to attend the programme because it hadn’t started yet. I relapsed with only three months of my sentence left, which led to another nine-year sentence. Even though I’ve only been part of the programme for six months, it has already helped me greatly. If I had had the chance to attend the programme during my initial five-year sentence, I feel like I wouldn’t have relapsed at all,” said an inmate.
Today, most of the inmates are continuing with their treatment programme in open-air prisons.
Police records reveal that since the launch of the programme in November of 2023, a total of 214 individuals, 182 from Chamgang and 32 from Lungzor District Prison in Trashigang, have completed the SUD treatment.
35-year-old Sangay Dorji who was released recently completed his SUD treatment programme at Lungzor just a few months before completing his term. He says the programme has helped him stay sober and has given him newfound motivation to maintain his sobriety.
Sangay Dorji said “I wish to work hard so that my daughter can study without any worries, and I also want to support my ageing parents. The best way to gain the trust of the community is by staying sober. I plan to maintain my sobriety for life, and the counsellors from The PEMA have been guiding me. However, finding employment is very difficult for me and my friends who have recently been released from prison and do not have No Objection Certificate letters. As a result, I’ve seen some of my friends relapse into drugs and get convicted again.”
Besides helping his parents with farming in the village, he also collects clothes, sports equipment and other items he can donate to prisoners.
Every year, more than a thousand people are arrested for drug-related charges.
Last year alone, police recorded more than 1500 substance abuse cases.
While challenges remain, particularly in securing post-release employment, many of its beneficiaries are finding hope in the programme. With continued guidance and opportunities for reintegration, the programme is not only changing lives but also fostering a sense of responsibility and purpose among those committed to breaking the cycle of substance abuse.
As these individuals move toward rejoining their communities, their stories serve as a testament to the power of rehabilitation and the potential for second chances.
Tashi Dekar
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
