Mel Medura is the outreach arm of the Sumithrayo Colombo Centre. Sumithrayo was founded by the late Mrs. Joan De Mel and the Samaritans in Sri Lanka in 1974 to provide Confidential Emotional Support for people who are experiencing, feelings of distress or despair, including those that may lead to suicide. The Sumithrayo Drug Demand Reduction Programme at “Mel Medura” began in 1984 when it was found that Alcohol and Drugs was one of the leading causes of suicide in Sri Lanka. Our Honorary Consultant is Dr Shamil Wanigaratne, (BSc, D.Clin.Psych., C.Psychol, FBPSS) who is also the Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Senior Advisor to H.E. the Director General, National Rehabilitation Centre, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Adjunct Professor College of Medicine and Health Science United Arab Emirates University and Visiting Senior Lecturer, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London. Here at Mel Medura we identify those who are at risk of drug and alcohol dependence. People who come from all walks of life drop in to the centre for confidential support. The focus is on assisting those with substance dependence. Alcoholism and drug dependence are complex problems, with many related issues. And, although there is no magic formula to help someone stop his or her drinking or drug use, there is help available. Helping a loved one struggling with alcoholism or drug dependence can be heartbreakingly painful for families. Movies, books and magazines often portray people who “hit rock bottom” before they can be helped. However, this representation is a myth. People do not need to bottom out to be helped. Research shows that early identification of the problem is a much more effective solution for substance use problems. Early identification occurs at the first signs of a problem — before anyone has suffered a traumatic event, dropped out of school or lost important relationships, jobs, their health or self-respect. Seeking help can spare the victim and their family member’s situations such as arrests, medical emergencies, job loss, public embarrassment and even death. If substance abuse is untreated problems continue as family members develop their own issues and can suffer greatly. Children of substance users can experience school behaviour problems and poor academic performance and are more likely to become substance users themselves. At Mel Medura trained befrienders work with the substance user in a relaxed and friendly setting. His or her purpose is to find the root of the addiction and help them progress into sobriety. Depending on the underlying cause of the addiction discovered, the befriender develops an individual plan for each user. To help them work past the addiction, befrienders educate them about addiction and teach them how to move on through life without substance abuse. The main goal of the befriender is to guide the drug user or abuser into sobriety and a healthier life style.
