APARI
was established as an NPO on February 2nd 2000 with the aim of spreading
the message to addicts, families and their friends that their condition
is recoverable. It is said there are 2.2 million people in Japan suffering
from drug addiction now. In the past drug addiction was less common
and affected only a minority of the population , but in the 1990s this
problem has widened across social boundaries in the same way as information
technology has broken down borders and allowed access to information.
Our
name comes from the desire to help people not only in Japan but across
the Asia Pacific region and consider drug abuse a form of addiction.
APARIs approach to drug addiction is revolutionary within Japan, for
example our 2 week drug training program for those indicted and released
on bail includes volunteer work and self help group work
with the aim of returning offenders to a society and a drug free life.
This is the first project in Japan which aims to prevent reoccurrence
of drug related problems. Previously if arrested for a drug related
crime, offenders were either sent directly to prison or if their sentence
was suspended, released and continue to abuse drugs.
The drug addiction
problem in Japan is changing rapidly. APARIs activities are wide ranging
and APARI is moving flexibly and quickly to counter the changing face
of drug abuse. Japan is said to be 20 years behind western countries
in developing measures to deal with drug addiction. Although Japan is
behind in this respect, this allows us to develop new treatment methods.
APARI is a relatively
new organization which is taking the long term view encourages people
to observe and follow our activities. APARI welcomes and appreciates
opposing or alternative opinions, with the aim of assisting all those
suffering from drug addiction both near and far.