Why is Raskršće Teen Challenge indispensable

Long term addiction, crime, loss of material goods, broken homes and death, are tragic elements that are part of a complex and painful structure of a drug addiction problem. Sleepless nights, incapacity for work, rejection by the society, loneliness, irregular nutrition, and distorted life conditions are an every day occurrence for people who are addicted to drugs. Even if a fallen person makes the decision to go for a treatment, a series of new problems hit him and his family. Thousands of people have high hopes in the cure for their loved ones provided that they get a place in this or that institution. However, quite soon they find out that they have to wait several months for a place, and that the available help lasts no more than a few weeks. Even for those who succeed in securing a place, the outcome of the treatment is utterly uncertain because, unfortunately, the existing programs and approaches to treatments are known to have very little success.

People who are perishing need help NOW! The number of people needing help greatly exceeds available space in the existing institutions in Serbia which can give them hope for healing. Raskršće Teen Challenge fills the gap between the drug prevention activities and hospital beds.

Our purpose is to offer concrete and complete help and save those who are perishing because of addiction. Raskršće Teen Challenge provides a protected and structured environment favorable for making a new start in life. Our students often compare us with their families. It is a place where the broken and rejected feel accepted, and where they are being enabled to help themselves. It is a place of refuge where they can rebuild their dignity through work and genuine friendships. Raskršće Teen Challenge is committed to its goal to continue providing help to those who are in the greatest need - addicts and their families.

Saša Ivanović
President of the Associatioin and
Director of The Rehabilitation Programs