Once a person becomes an addict, he or she leaves the normal lifestyle, selling property, his or her own or anyone else's, and even himself or herself for the next dose. That person will commit one crime after another to avoid the pain of the syndrome of abstention, arising in his or her body. The need for drugs will escalate to greater frequency of use and to more powerful dosages. The addict cares only about drugs, and nothing else concerns him. The value of that person's own life or of the family is reduced to nothing. Eventually, he forgets about himself, becoming the slave of drugs in every sense of the word. Drugs take the place of everything else. The addict is dangerous to society, but as a human being, he deserves sympathy.
Narcotics is a new problem for the Russian Federation and is, unfortunately, on the increase. It also results in the spreading of some of the most dangerous diseases among youth, such as AIDS, hepatitis, etc. According to estimations by experts, about 3–4 % of the population in this country are consumers of one kind of narcotic or another, numbering approximately 4–5 million citizens of Russia.
We, who work at the rehabilitation centre, know that living without drugs
is possible. Many of us in the past were addicts. We want to help others
to be released from dependence upon drugs, just as we have been helped.
The RETO association has 20–year's experience of work in Spain and 8–year's experience in Russia.
We well understand that material problems can be an insurmountable barrier for those who wish to recover. Therefore, to stay at the Centre is free-of-charge for all. At this time, we have facilities for 350 people to live in "RETO Nadezhda".
The demand of those wishing to enter the program far exceeds our possibilites to receive them.Illness is not an obstacle for receipt into the centre, however the use of medicine is not part of our rehabilitation program.
The RETO association is an economically independent organization, rendering help to the developing branches, trying to help as many needy people as possible. The personnel of the centre works on a voluntary basis and does not receive material compensation.
We understand that the person, taking part in RETO, and his nearest relatives render trust to us and our program. Our method consists in the complex approach to the problems of the passing of rehabilitation, in their intensive employment and physical work. For successful rehabilitation the man needs to have a desire to be free from drugs, to understand the principles of a different way of life and to accept the decision to change.
Our doors and hearts are open to all. We are sure, despite numerous difficulties and problems, we will not stop — with God's help — but we don't refuse help from those who offer it.