Embassy of the United States Tunis, Tunisia

June 11, 2012

Ambassador Gray inaugurates an extension to the ATUPRET Drug Rehabilitation Center in Thyna

U.S. Ambassador Gordon Gray attended the opening of the extension to the Centre d’Aide et Ecoute in Thyna, Sfax on June 11.  Administered by the Association Tunisienne de Lutte Contre la Toxicomanie (ATUPRET), the Centre d’Aide et Ecoute provides rehabilitation services to youth with drug addiction problems.  In addition to medical care, the patients receive psychological support to assist with their re-integration into society.  The initial center, built with a 487,500 Tunisian Dinar grant from the United States Government Humanitarian Assistance Program, opened its doors in 2007.  Last year, an additional 525,000 dinars was granted to build an extension and double the patient capacity of the center.   

ATUPRET President Prof. Abdelmajid Zahaf led a tour of the new facility and facilitated discussions with patients, ATUPRET staff, and regional authorities.  Ambassador Gray commended ATUPRET for its important work in substance abuse rehabilitation and said its efforts provide hope to young people who have suffered from drug addiction and who aspire to start a new, healthy life.   During his visit, the Ambassador presented a plaque to the ATUPRET association to commemorate U.S.-Tunisian humanitarian cooperation.    
  
Afterward, Ambassador Gray inaugurated the new Franklin Center in Sfax, which offers to the public nearly 1,000 English language books, magazines, and videos.  Franklin Center patrons can use the facility’s electronic resources to browse the internet, access online research databases, read free digital content provided by Amazon.com, interact with visiting speakers, and learn more about American society and culture.

The Franklin Center is located at Route Gremda km 0.5, Immeuble Ribat El Medina, Riwaq Echallelet Mezzanine.  It is open to the public daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and access is free of charge.