I remember this one quote from the person in charge of Rumah Sahabat saying that our visit there is like giving 'hope' to them. 'Hope' as in we are making them feel accepted by the community. It is actually very important for them as I believe that some of them having self-stigma especially when the community call them with such labels and perceive them differently which make it hard for them to re-enter the community.
We got an interviewee that was very helpful. We started with a casual conversation and slowly asking about the experience. At the end of the session, he asked us, "Is it our first time talking to drug addict and how do we feel about it?" I personally said that it is my first time and saying about feeling, personally I do not feel indifferent but I was just afraid if my words are inappropriate and I have to structure my sentence properly. Using the right approach so that it doesn't seem we are being judgmental or labelling them.
Also, regarding the question I ask "if calling them drug addict is appropriate?" to which he replied it is the intonation that matters. He said that most of them are ok with the name as they have to admit it but we have to appropriately use the right intonation as to not being seen as judgmental and perceiving it inappropriately.
It is actually a lot to reflect on. They actually have a big heart. Changing the behaviour is really a sttruggle but the effort is that matters. Everyone has their own struggle. Let's us support each other and treat each other non-judgmentally.
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