Sfaxien-American Partnership: The Rehabilitation Center
February 20 - The United States Embassy donated over US $323,000 for the construction of a substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation facility to be managed by the Tunisian Association for Drug Prevention and Rehabilitation (ATUPRET) in Sfax.
The center is designed to reintegrate individuals struggling with drug addiction into mainstream society after treatment and rehabilitation, and also provide rehabilitation services for alcoholism and severe tobacco addiction. This clinic is one of a series of US-funded projects, including an AIDS testing and treatment facility opened in Sfax in April 2007, as well as schools, community centers and shelters across Tunisia.
The Governorate of Sfax and Tunisian Ministry of Public Health approved this project. The grant was made through the US Department of Defense’s European Command Humanitarian Assistance programs.
A primary goal of the center is to assist addicts before they encounter problems with the law, and provide referrals to medical care, educational facilities, social services and youth associations. In November 2006, the Global Fund awarded Tunisia a US $17 million grant to address AIDS and substance abuse prevention and treatment issues. Funding for the operations of the rehabilitation center will be provided from the Global Fund grant. In addition, the United Nations in Tunisia is currently providing technical advice to ATUPRET on operational management of this new facility and approach to substance abuse treatment.
The clinic facility was designed by Ms. Houda Hentati, a talented architect from Sfax, reflecting a traditional style of the region. The building was designed specifically for substance abuse patients and will contribute to the center’s therapeutic objectives. The construction contract was completed by Entreprise de Batiment et d’Edification, a Sfaxian firm. The current patient capacity is 20 persons with the capacity to extend dormitory space in the future, if necessary.
In addition, in August 2006, the US Government also donated furniture and equipment valued at US$55,000 for the center.