Kuwait Social Association Organizes Recovery Conference on Substance Abuse
At the event dubbed "Recovering from Addiction... and Building a New Life," hosted by Kuwait Social Association, the crucial role of inclusive urban planning in aiding addiction recovery and societal reintegration was highlighted.
The conference in Adailiya emphasized various strategies for recovery and reintegration. Abdullah Alradhwan, Chief of the Board at the Kuwait Social Association, began the event with a passionate call for collective action to combat addiction.
Brigadier Osama Almajed, Deputy Director General of Correctional Institutions, highlighted the importance of correctional facilities in rehabilitation. However, the focus of the conference was on the role of cities and urban planning in supporting the recovery process.
Dr. Ameera AlHassan, Head of the UN-Habitat Mission, emphasized this point, stressing that urban environments can aid individuals in maintaining their recovery and becoming productive members of society. She spoke on the significance of creating urban spaces that promote stability, well-being, and community integration.
The discussion delved into legal and social perspectives, advocating for a holistic approach to addiction recovery in Kuwait. Kuwaiti law considers addiction an illness rather than a criminal offense, urging families, communities, and authorities to offer support to those struggling with substance abuse during their recovery journey.
Experts at the conference suggested strategies for urban planning that facilitate sustained sobriety, community support, and successful societal reintegration. These include:
- Establishing sober living homes and recovery-oriented communities, where individuals can maintain abstinence and develop recovery-focused lifestyles.
- Integrating support services within communities, making counseling, therapy, and aftercare programs easily accessible for seamless recovery.
- Fostering community engagement and employment opportunities, crucial for rebuilding self-sufficiency and social ties.
- Designing safe and inclusive public spaces that encourage physical activity, mindfulness, and social interaction, supporting healthier lifestyles and peer networks.
- Employing collaborative and multidisciplinary approaches, incorporating strategies from various fields like addiction medicine, psychology, and social work into urban design.
In essence, Dr. Ameera Al Hassan and the conference experts advocated for an holistic approach to urban planning—one that moves beyond physical infrastructure to create supportive, recovery-friendly communities. This approach focuses on sober living environments, integrated recovery services, community engagement opportunities, accessible public spaces, and designs aiming to sustain sobriety and promote successful societal reintegration.
- Dr. Ameera AlHassan, during the event, underscored the importance of science-based health-and-wellness approaches, particularly in mental health, as crucial components of comprehensive rehabilitation.
- In his speech, Brigadier Osama Almajed underscored the role of mental health therapies and treatments in the rehabilitation process, emphasizing their significance in correctional institutions.
- Abdullah Alradhwan, at the beginning of the event, advocated for an inclusive Kuwaiti society, where all individuals, including those recovering from addiction, are supported in their endeavor to lead healthy, productive lives.
- The conference concluded by highlighting Almajed's Kuwaiti Foundation's commitment to supporting health-and-wellness initiatives, focusing specifically on mental health, rehabilitation, and societal reintegration.
