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MoSA Bolsters Economic Autonomy for Ex-Victims of Substance Abuse in West Bandung

MoSA Bolsters Economic Autonomy for Ex-Victims of Substance Abuse in West Bandung
Writer :
Rizka Surya Ananda
Translator :
Rizka Surya Ananda/Karlina Irsalyana

West Bandung, 25 August 2023 – Ex-victims of substance abuse are among the vulnerable groups being targeted for social rehabilitation by the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA). Ex-users frequently face unwarranted social stigma despite no longer engaging in their previous habits.

Challenges in securing adequate employment pose struggles for many individuals and their families. They start small enterprises like grocery stores and cold drinks, among others, in order to sustain themselves.

"They indeed expressed their desire to improve their economic condition. And showed a strong commitment to change their behavior to not living their past life," said Head of Administration Affairs of Wyata Guna Centre Iis Lisnawati when met at the ceremony of ATENSI distribution to 18 ex-victims of substance abuse in Lembang, West Bandung, on Wednesday (23/8).

Ex-substance abusers encounter many kinds of challenges as they strive to enhance their quality of life. Micro-scale enterprises face difficulties due to a lack of essential business support infrastructure, exemplified by the absence of adequate cooling systems and carts for selling perishable goods like ice.

"There is one who sells iced drinks. He sells his product near a gas station and already has loyal customers. But he has no cart. Yesterday, he conveyed that he wanted a cart and freezer as he didn’t have them at home; he only has ice thermos," told Iis.

ATENSI Entrepreneurship provides tailored assistance to individuals based on their unique assessment results, ensuring that each recipient receives a customized form of support that aligns with their unique needs. Out of the total of 18 beneficiaries, 8 individuals have been granted valuable business development assistance, while the remaining 10 have been bestowed with essential nutrition support.

Empowerment assistance, as highlighted by Iis, is a specialized program tailored for beneficiaries who have successfully completed their rehabilitation process. Meanwhile, nutrition is for those who are still in rehab.

Sentra Wyata Guna MoSA collaborates with the Sekar Mawar Foundation on assessment and assistance delivery. West Bandung's Mandatory Reporting Recipient Institutions (IPWL) has established itself as a prominent foundation for the social rehabilitation of substance abusers. Beneficiaries of MoSA exclusively comprise patients under the care of Sekar Mawar Foundation, encompassing both outpatient and inpatient individuals.

"We get data from the foundation. They submitted the beneficiaries’ needs, and we conducted the assessment. So we do not directly deliver the assistance; still, we validate the data from officers and social workers who go to the field," said Iis.

Furthermore, Cooperation with the Sekar Mawar Foundation is being carried out in the form of monitoring. Besides the foundation, the local social department is also involved. As Iis said, her party will be closely monitoring the progress of beneficiaries' businesses, while the foundation will be handling responsibility for overseeing the rehabilitation service.

Entrepreneurial commitment ensures beneficiary accuracy. The majority of recipients already with start-ups when providing aid. Both Iis and the local social government have emphasized the importance of fostering business growth and avoiding any misuse of the assistance provided.

Meanwhile, the types of businesses provided are retail gasoline, basic necessities, food and soft drinks, seblak snacks, brewed coffee, and others.

Also present at the distribution were the Junior Social Counsellor of the West Bandung Regency Social Office, R. Asep Sutia, and the Chair of the IPWL Sekar Mawar Foundation, Anastasia Cakunani.
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