Latoya Grindley, Features Writer

In the lobby of the Teen Challenge Jamaica office, a group of men are enjoying the thrills of a table tennis match with some playing the actual game and the others being spectators. The attention of the men was so fixed on the game that when the news team entered, they were not even moved to look who had entered their territory.

It was later found out that this was not the typical scenario at the institution, but instead the men were enjoying a break which comes as part of the institution's holiday treat in December. They are entitled to eight free days for the duration of their stay.

Teen Challenge Jamaica is a rehabilitation institution for drug and alcohol addicts, which is located in Ocho Rios, St. Ann. Currently, the institution operates a 30-bed facility for 'students', which is exclusive to men. And, according to the acting Executive Director Anthony Richards, the men have to endure 12 months at the centre and an additional six months on internship.

"For the first six months, students go through an intense discipleship programme by way of a Christian curriculum. Then, for the next six months, they go through training where they acquire a vocational skill. Following this, students go through the re-entry phase, where they are placed in jobs on internship," he explained.

latoya.grindley@gleanerjm.com

Teen challenge info

Teen Challenge Jamaica is part of the umbrella group Teen Challenge which originated in the United States of America. Currently, there are 500 centres around the world. Teen Challenge Jamaica: 795-2695