Women help drug addicts to change their lives

Giving up drugs is not easy. But learning how to reintegrate into the community is even more difficult.

Nguyễn Thị Lang, a 70-year-old woman, from Phú Nhuận District, HCM City, has been helping drug addicts have a better life for many years.

She said it was not an easy task to ensure they do not go back to abusing drugs. She always tries to find ways to help returning drug users get over their inferiority complex and go back into the community.

Despite her old age and poor health with end-stage chronic kidney failure, she is still active in local work.

Lang talks to the local police to know the situation. She also visits those who have returned from drug addiction treatment centers to talk to them.

"I always find a reason to visit them often, make them to trust me, and give them some financial support. I talk a lot with them to understand them more and know each person's needs and find ways to help," Lang told Phụ Nữ Việt Nam (Việt Nam Women) online newspaper. 

Lê Thị Thanh Thảo, vice president of the Phú Nhuận District's Women's Association, said: "Helping recovering drug addicts is always difficult, not everyone can do it. Despite her poor health, Lang has helped many local young addicts reintegrate into community and have a better life."

"She is also a typical example of the management and education of young people after rehabilitation."

Nguyễn Thị Nguyệt Cầm (pseudonym) is starting a new life in District 3, HCM City, where she supports local authorities in propagating HIV prevention and supporting drug addicts.

Cầm used to be a drug addict.

Years ago, she left her hometown in the southwestern region to go to HCM City to find a job. She started working in a pub where she first tried heroin.

One day, she witnessed a drug user overdose and die. She was shocked and realised she had to change her life.

After many months locking herself in her house, she thought about how to rebuild her life. She was even more determined to detox when she found that she was pregnant. 

"Now I work as a monitor for a cleaning service company, managing 20 staff. I still support local authorities in propagating HIV prevention and supporting drug addicts," she said.

"I use my monthly allowance from this job to donate funds for supporting HIV-infected people in difficult circumstances."

She said that she had set up an online closed group to support addicted people, new HIV positive cases and give them psychological counseling, and antiretroviral therapy treatment.

Thanks to having a stable job in a cleaning service company, she has helped other addicts find jobs in the company.

"I help them get a stable job to change for the better. I am willing to help. Helping doesn't cost any money," said Cầm./.