BUTTERWORTH: “I used to think that only drugs could give me happiness, but now I realise my life is more beautiful without it,” said a part-time facilitator with the National Anti-Drug Agency, here.

He said his life had never been happier after he freed himself from drug addiction about 20 years ago, and started a new life in Seberang Perai, with a wife and three kids.

Samat (not his real name), who is a part-time facilitator at a drug rehabilitation centre in the state, is now actively involved in helping drug addicts kick the habit.

Speaking at a programme organised by the agency, he said it was not easy for a drug addict to stop the addiction as it needed strong determination, mentally and spiritually.

“Without the addict’s own determination to kick the habit, rehabilitation efforts will be a waste because the temptation for him to go back to drugs is still strong,” he said.

Samat said in order to help former drug addicts, the public should also play their role, especially in accepting them back into the community.

“Usually, the community has a bad perception of drug addicts, and that perception is like a death sentence for them,” he said.

Samat, 46, who was a drug addict for 15 years, told his horrible addiction story as a warning for the inmates of the rehabilitation centre.

He said he was involved in drugs while he was in school, and with his friends, he would steal and commit other wrongful acts for the sake of buying drugs.

The addiction, he said, continued even during his years as a civil servant.

“From cannabis, I switched to several other drugs. That time, I felt like the world was mine, but because of the addiction I lost focus and had to quit my job,” he said.

However, Samat was lucky to have entered a drug rehabilitation centre and broke free from his addiction.

“I am thankful that I have the chance to share my story to help others, so that they will have a better future,” he said.

 — Bernama