Despite making many mistakes in the past, former drug addicts in Da Nang are determined to rebuild their lives, build a happy family and become useful citizens for their families and society when reintegrating into the community.

Nguyen Tran Quan and Le Than Nhu Phuong (right) and members of the 'Rebirth' charity group giving free meals to the needy. Photo: H.T.V

Nguyen Tran Quan, 32, residing in Thanh Khe District, said that when he was young, he was addicted to gambling and football betting, and used stimulants. Thanks to special care and spiritual encouragement from his family and the local community, he overcame inferiority complex to change himself. Currently, he is running a QQ rice eatery located on Yen Khe 2 Street in Thanh Khe District.

Over the past two years, Mr. Quan and his friends who also turned over a new leaf have established the ‘Rebirth’ charity group. The group gives free rice to low-income earners such as lottery ticket sellers, street vendors and motorbike taxi drivers twice at the QQ eatery twice a month.

Quan confided “When I looked back, I felt terrible. If I did not let go of those mistakes, I don't know what I would have done now. Giving up drugs is not easy. But learning how to reintegrate into the community is even more difficult. The group's name probably means that we are born again to contribute to beautifying our lives and living better".

“Currently, my joy is to do the things I like. If young drug addicts feel too stuck and unable to get out of the drug world when detoxing by themselves, I still have a way to share with you in my ability" Quan said.

Similarly, 32-year-old Nguyen Dao Bao residing in Lien Chieu District was once a drug addict for more than 10 years and has countless times in and out of the rehabilitation center.

Drug temptation is like a whirlpool, the more Bao struggles, the more he sinks to the bottom.

Mr. Bao said fortunately, his family and predecessors always accompany with him on the road to seek ways for the reintegration into the community.

With many different ways of drug rehabilitation such as joining training courses and extracurricular sessions, and working, gradually, he understood what he wanted and needed, so he learned how to overcome it.

After successfully detoxing, Bao works as a driver at an international school in Ho Chi Minh City. In addition, Bao works for voluntary detoxification centres to advise and support young drug addicts like him before.

Last September, Bao invested in a transportation service company with the involvement of 3 trucks and 6 drivers who were once addicted and now turn over a new leaf.

In a similar case, Le Than Nhu Phuong, 32, also residing in Lien Chieu District was addicted to alcohol, tobacco and drugs when he was young.

Talking about his life, Phuong said he was addicted to stimulants and received a suspended sentence. When he arrived in a new environment, he received special care and useful advice from family members and friends to successfully detox.

At present, Phuong has been active in giving a helping hand to the poor, children with disabilities, and conducting charity programmes.

Overcoming obstacles, Phuong is currently doing furniture business and is a member of the group ‘Rebirth’.

The man excitedly said, last August, the ‘Rebirth’ group shared their humanitarian work in the ‘Kindness’ programme on Viet Nam Television's channel 1 (VTV1). This is considered as an extra motivation for the group to continue their way.

Reporting by HUYNH TUONG VY - Translating by M.DUNG