Church-Run De-Addiction Center Wins State Award for Drug Addiction Treatment

The Bangladesh Rehabilitation and Assistance Center for Addicts (BARACA), a church-run organization, won a State Award for drug addiction treatment and rehabilitation services on the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

Baraka was awarded the third prize among the 393 organizations registered across the country by the Department of Drug Control under the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of Bangladesh in recognition of its significant contribution to the treatment and rehabilitation of drug-addicted individuals in the country.

The prize was given at the event organized at the Osmani Memorial Milnayatan of Dhaka on June 26, 2025, on the International Day of Anti-Drug Abuse and Illegal Trafficking.

Major General Dr. Md. Shameem Haidar, Director General of the Department of Drug Control and Hon'ble Advisor Lieutenant General to the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of Bangladesh, was present as the chief guest.

Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (retired), Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor, was present as a special guest. Khoda Bakhs Chowdhury and Nasimul Gani, the Honorable Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, were also present.

Baraka's director, Holy Cross Brother Nirmal Francis Gomez, received the award.

“Thanks and gratitude to all involved with BARACA for this success. Everyone, please bless us,” he added.

This award is given based on the overall program, medical and rehabilitation services quality, reporting, and administrative skills of registered drug cure centers under the Department of Drug Control.

It is noteworthy that Baraka received awards for four consecutive years, placing second in 2022, second in 2024, and third in 2025.

Baraka earned a second prize in 2012 and a third prize in 2016. This achievement of Baraka six times in total reflects the government and the concerned authorities in the organization's long-term, humanitarian, and professional drug treatment and rehabilitation programs.

The Baraka family is proud and inspired by this success. The pride in receiving the award is a result of the combined efforts of all the officers, service workers, mentors, physicians, field workers, volunteers, parents, well-wishers, and partners of Baraka.

Baraka especially thanks Karitas Bangladesh, the Holy Cross Brother Community, the donor organization Caritas Germany, international consultant Dr. Ephraim Milanese, and all other associates of Baraka for their cooperation, which helped Baraka earn this honor.

Organization Caritas Germany, international consultant Dr. To Ephraim Milanese, and the overall associates of Baraca, whose cooperation Baraca earned this honor.

BARACA, the social action branch of the Catholic Church, is one of the best among the 364 drug treatment centers accredited by the Drug Control Department in Bangladesh.

Since 1988, the BARACA program run by Caritas Bangladesh has helped drug users get better with support from Caritas Germany and Luxembourg. It set up the first treatment system in Bangladesh that focused on rehabilitation.

Caritas BARACA Center has a four-month live-in program for people who are trying to get over their addictions. They get therapy for their personal, family, group, school, work, leisure, and fun needs.

Family Anonymous meetings, home visits, family visits, self-help support groups, follow-ups, and aftercare are all part of the program. "Graduates" aim to celebrate "clean birthdays" and anniversaries every year they stay drug-free after going to treatment.

BARACA also operates a drop-in facility in Dhaka, provides vocational training, and engages in efforts to raise awareness, connect drug addiction centers, and combat HIV, AIDS, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

To make their services better, the Bangladeshi government pays for private drug addiction treatment and rehabilitation centers.