An Effective Model to Save Children with Substance Use Disorder in Developing Countries; Children Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation Residential Centers (CATRCs)

Abstract

Background: Until recently, there was no center specialized for the treatment and rehabilitation of children with substance use 
disorder in Iran. However, recently, a new initiation in the form of Children Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation Residential 
Centers (CATRC) has been piloted in Iran. This brief report is an early evaluation of the performance of CATRC in the treatment 
and rehabilitation of children with drug use/use disorder. 

Objective: Feasibility and evaluation of a comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation model for children and adolescents with 
substance use disorder. 

Methods: The evaluation on pilot project was done in two CATRCs established in the city of Zahedan. Subjects were 107 children 
between the ages of 0 and 18 with a history of drug use or drug use disorder sent to CATRCs to fulfill a judicial decision or by the 
Welfare Organization. 

Results: Out of 88 children discharged from the two CATRCs during the 1.5 years since their establishment, there were no relapses 
or criminal activity in 97.7% of children. 

Conclusion: this study showed early evidence of the positive performance of CATRCs in Iran.