(October 01, 2011) A new drug rehabilitation centre is to be built at Vietnam’s
National Marian Shrine of Our Lady of La Vang in Quang Tri province. About a 100
people attended the groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, for the centre which the Benedictines
hope will help local drug abusers kick their habits and return to normal lives. The
project head, 40-year old Benedictine Father Francis Tran Van An, had himself been
once a drug addict prior to becoming a monk. He had provided rehabilitation services
at his monastery for years; he said the new center aimed to provide free rehabilitation,
spiritual healing, health care and vocational skills for a rising number of drug addicts
in the area,”. Many parents have sought assistance from the Benedictines after their
children have failed to overcome their addictions in state-run facilities, for which
they must pay as much as 3 million dong (US$300) per month. About 25 people have
given up drug use through the program and now have employment, while five have joined
the Catholic Church.