From chaos to a structured therapeutic community: treatment programme on Emiliehoeve, a farm for young addicts

Within two years a centre for young addicts emerged; from a chaotic situation where drug use was frequent a drug-free therapeutic community developed with a solid structure; encounter group techniques were the major therapeutic tool. The community is located on a farm providing a great variety of work situations. The evolution in this direction is described, pointing out the failings of several approaches attempted during the different phases of the programme.