HISTORY:

Navjyoti Correction, De-addiction and Rehabilitation Centre was founded in 1987 by Dr. Kiran Bedi as a result of the realization of the inextricable link that existed between crime and drugs. She discovered that out of every two persons arrested for petty property crimes, one was a heroin abuser. Certain localities in the North District in Delhi were found heavily infected with the supply and consumption of heroin and were all suffering from the consequences of drug abuse. Consequently, drug de-addiction centers were established in seven Police Stations in Delhi. First de-addiction centre was opened in Andha Mughal Police Post followed by Adarsh Nagar, Majnu Ka Tila, Jahangirpuri, Sarai Rohilla, Mangolpuri, Sultan Puri, and Keshav Puram Police Station.

The treatment primarily consisted of 7-15 days detoxification Programme, which was gradually increased to one month. However, it was seen that the relapse was quite high, which necessitated the need to introduce a follow up of these patients. Consequently, a residential after care Programme was initiated. As the organization was struggling to reduce the relapse rate, the results of homoeopathy and yoga, which was introduced in one of the centers in 1988, were found to be very encouraging. Thus, homoeopathy was introduced as a mode of treatment in all the centers.

To further consolidate the gains over the years, de-addiction centers in various Police Stations were closed down and the project was centralized at the Sarai Rohilla Police Station. A comprehensive treatment model based on medico psychosocial and spiritual management with homoeopathy and yoga was developed, standardized and adopted.

The project gained sustainability when the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt of India, recognized the efforts and extended financial support in the year 1992, which has been continued even since. One month residential treatment was also extended to six months treatment Programme in order to ensure recovery.

Navjyoti offers a multidisciplinary treatment Programme, which address the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the illness. Treatment for each of these dimensions is provided so that the patient may return to the family, job and environment with improved physical and mental well being, free from chemical dependency and equipped with the tools necessary to maintain a drug free life style.

The main goal is to provide an environment that is best possible for recovering. The Programme is based on the belief that drug dependency is a chronic progressive and potentially fatal disease but is treatable and that the recovery process can be an experience of freedom, happiness and job.

Through this Programme, patients learn the fundamental skills of recovery and make commitment to a life style of sobriety through total abstinence. Navjyoti also believes that recovery is a continuous process of growth whereby in addition to the patients, the family and the community has an equally important role to play. Therefore, apart from the treatment Programme for the patients intervention is also planned for the family and the community.