A Drug Treatment Program for Young Israeli-Military Veterans

Over the last two decades, the phenomenon of drug use among Israeli military veteran backpackers in Southeast Asia and South America has become an Israeli problem requiring a social solution. The severe consequences of drug use among the young backpackers can be classified into two types: The first is related to the health consequences. These include mental problems following the use of various drugs. Some of them return from their backpacking trips in a psychotic state in various degrees of severity or other psychiatric conditions like depression or anxiety. The second is related to the law: breaking of local laws, police arrests, and incarcerations. With the growing need for health promotion and drug use prevention services among backpackers, the Israel Anti-Drug Authority (IADA) established “The Backpackers’ Project,” focusing on drug use prevention, harm reduction, and unique health services and treatment targeting the young backpackers. Two unique frameworks have been established with the aim to address this problem: the “Israeli Warm Home,” which was established in India, as a collaboration between Israeli and Indian NGOs, in order to provide a first response to those affected by drug use, as well as prevention for those who have not yet been affected by it. The other framework is the establishment of “Kfar Izun” (Harmony Village), an innovative and unique recovery and rehabilitation center for young adults suffering from mental health problems due to the use of drugs, usually during backpacking trips.