Archbishop Paul Cremona opened a chapel dedicated to St Gorg Preca, during a Mass held at Komunita’ Santa Marija, the residential rehabilitation programme for drug abuse run by Agenzija Sedqa. Sedqa clients currently undergoing the residential programme had the opportunity to meet Mgr Cremona and share their experiences with him.

Also present for this visit, hosted by Joe Gerada (CEO, Foundation for Social Welfare Services) and Jean Claude Cardona (Sedqa Operations Director), were Mgr Victor Grech (Director, Caritas) and Fr Manuel Cordina (Director, OASI). During the ceremony, Mgr Grech and Fr Cordina were presented with a memento to honour them both for their contribution to the sector and for their collaboration with Agenzija Sedqa over the years.

Mr Gerada said that he was lucky to have worked alongside two distinguished persons like Mons. Grech and Fr Cordina. He said that their commitment and perseverance was an example for the whole society.

Currently about 40 people are completing their residential rehabilitation programme within this community. Komunita’ Santa Marija offers an intensive, long-term residential programme in a highly-structured communal living environment, whereby persons desiring to stop abusing drugs can discover their true selves, modify their behaviour, learn how to adopt a drug-free lifestyle and re-integrate in society. The programme is based on 4 phases which the client goes through with the assistance of various professionals, including medical doctors, psychologists, social workers, family therapists and others, thus offering a holistic service to the client and his/her family members and their significant others.