The Fund helps the first rehab clinic in Israel for Russian-speaking addicts and alcoholics to expand its activities.

MIG-News, Israel, 29.01.2003

Al Ha-Samim, or "Beyond Drugs", was created by three ex-addicts: Mikhail Chachava, Gera Shubayev, and Vadim Lakhnitsky. A few months ago, AHS opened Renaissance Rehab Clinic at a private home on the outskirts of Rishon Letsion. Dozens of patients have already gone through the treatment, which combines pharmaceutical intervention (limited, since pills can be prescribed for only a few days at a time) with group psychotherapy.

Currently there are 17 patients at the center. The number could be higher, but the resources are limited: the founders have to pay for everything - rent, maintenance, medication, furniture - out of their own pockets. Hence, free treatment remains a dream, and founders have to seek help from sponsors. For now, there is only one - Michael Cherney Fund.

Mikhail Chachava tells about the difference the Fund's help will make: "One of our patients has a disabled mother, and he can't find a job because of his habit. His mother was on the verge of insanity. When we called her up and told her that the Fund would pay for her son's treatment, she thought it was a con job. She simply couldn't believe such humanity still exists.

'Another new patient, Sasha - his wife left him. He can't stay with his brother and his brother's family, including their mother, either - they're up to here in debt. We tried to send him to the so-called rehab settlement, but he's too old for that. The only way he could get treatment was through the assistance from the Fund.

'The new patients' families worship the Fund - this is their only chance for salvation."

There's nothing an addict won't do for being high, even for an instant. It's hard to quit - but some have done it. Only those who went through it themselves - who stuck in the needle, who stole and betrayed friends - only they can render real help. Only an ex-addict is capable of understanding and helping, of giving hope - if I could quit, so can you. The Renaissance Center is a true miracle, and for now the only real chance for many Russian-speaking addicts and alcoholics to break out of the hell of drugs.