A Study on Liu Village Drug Rehabilitation Gospel Center

Summary:
Since January 95, the drug rehabilitation gospel center at Liu Village has to date received a total of 66 people for rehabilitation, of which 11 are currently undergoing the program, one couple who recently completed are still undergoing a six-month observation and therefore not included in the study.
Of the remaining 53 included in the study, 20 (38%) completed the full program and of these 20 who completed, 14 (70%) have successfully remained drug free to date.  Of those 33 who did not complete the program, 30 (90%) have since gone back to narcotics addiction.
There were no significant differences in outcome between male and female or those from nearby villages versus faraway villages.
There were, however, higher failure rates for those who were below 30 in age, single, or if their spouse were similarly addicts unless the spouse were also accepted for rehabilitation, and those with little prior exposure with Christianity.  There were also higher failure rates among the Lahu hill tribe and Han Chinese compared to the higher success rates among the Akha hill tribe.
Encouragingly high success rates were found among those who came from Mae Mong Ho (美蒙河), Li Village (李大爺寨), and those from Maesalong (美斯樂).  High failure rates were found among those who come from Lu village (魯家寨), Yang village (央家寨), and those from Lao Khek village and Huay Chom Phu (回中坡) which are both predominantly Yao (瑤) with no Christian presence.

Methodology

Data Collection:

This is a retrospective study.  Data were collected from existing records, and supplemented with interviews with the staff at the center.  The complete set of data is at appendix A.

Method:

The data were analyzed and the outcome studied according to factors like age, race, gender, family support, and prior Christian exposure to identify significant factors.  The outcomes of different villages were also studied in conjunction with the significant factors previously identified such as age, family support and prior Christian exposure and conclusions drawn.

Definition of terms:

Successful Outcome: Ideally, a successful outcome is one that should remain drug free for life, rather than for a period of time only.  The saving power of the knowledge of Christ is of paramount importance in helping them remain drug free.  Since those who go back to drugs tend to do so within the first six months upon completion of program, a successful outcome is defined as one who has remained drug free since completion of program more than 6 months ago.  Those who went back to drugs, irrespective of how long they had been drug free, are counted as failures.  Those who completed the program less than a year ago, even though they may be drug free are considered as under observation and not counted as success.

Age: Some of the hill tribes like the Lahu tribe do not place great emphasis on their age; and therefore are only able to give approximate age.  For the study, the age "40 plus" will be counted as 45 and "30 plus" counted as 35 etc.

Christian Exposure: A person is considered to have been significantly exposed to Christianity if he is already a Christian, or he has heard the gospel message presented to him before coming for drug rehabilitation.  Such a person is also likely to live in a village that has significant Christian presence.

Family Status: "ok" if spouse or family members are not addicts. If their spouse are also addicts and are also undergoing rehabilitation, they are counted as "Rehab".

Term: "Completed" is one that has completed the prescribed program, which is six months for first timer and three months for repeats.