2021 Taiwan Lourdes Association Annual Report
Since 1997. Taiwan Lourdes Association (Hereinafter abbreviated as TLA) has entered to its 25th year. Based on the service provided this year, we have summarized our achievements into four main categories :
(1)Stability
In 2021, the overall volume of case services remained roughly stable. Observing the age trend of the overall service recipients in recent years, we noticed a gradual increase in the average age of the service recipients. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that in 2020, the average age of heroin users served by our Taipei office surpassed 50 for the first time. While only about one-fifth of the service recipients were new cases this year (2021), comprising 18%, it is evident that the age of those seeking assistance differs from the age distribution in CDC statistics on infection.
Upon further examination, our service recipients include people living with HIV/AIDS(Hereinafter abbreviated as PLWHA) we have served more than 20 years ago, as well as newly added service recipients each year. However, the broader societal stigma and discrimination surrounding "substance abuse," "HIV," and "LGBTQ+" persist to some extent. Additionally, private financial assistance organizations have become increasingly stringent in determining eligibility for emergency relief and other financial aid in recent years. Based on the observation of our referrals situation, we could find a gradual decline on the sources from external units. The reduction is not indicative of a lack of demand but rather reflects a diminishing availability of external system resources and energy. Despite these challenges, the economic needs of service recipients persist. Facilitating their reintegration becomes increasingly difficult.
(2)Adjustment
In 2019, our organization received subsidies from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, allowing us to leverage our accumulated years of experience from the Chaolu Farm and expand it into a therapeutic community for addiction treatment. After months of preparation, we officially commenced operations in 2020. Guided by a harm reduction approach that respects human dignity, our intervention covers the holistic aspects of individuals, including physical, psychological, interpersonal, social, occupational, and spiritual dimensions. Our goal is to empower individuals on their journey toward recovery. Through reflective learning during the service process, we continuously make rolling adjustments, accumulating localized experience in harm reduction therapeutic community services.
From September to October, a two-month series of international seminars on harm reduction psychology was held, enhancing harm reduction knowledge through online sessions, videos, and post-event discussions. In recent years, there has been an increase in cases involving non-opioid substance users with comorbid mental health conditions. Workshops, practical exercises, and simulations were conducted to enhance the professional capabilities of our staff.
(3)Enhancement
In the first half of 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic led to the suspension of individual counseling and volunteer care visits to detainees in correctional facilities. Instead, we provided counseling services through written correspondence, offering consultations, emotional support, and counseling to maintain continuous support. Furthermore, various in-person gatherings and group activities, such as DA groups, shifted to online formats. This facilitated virtual gatherings, creating a safe and comfortable space for communication and enhancing opportunities for interpersonal support. Taking the Hualien and Taitung regions as examples, where resources are limited and the terrain is challenging, conducting online meetings factored in the reduced travel distance, thereby increasing member participation. As the pandemic situation gradually improves in the latter half of the year, we've resumed both physical and online activities, considering the differences in the nature of in-person and online gatherings. This approach ensures that service recipients can participate in activities, fostering positive connections without being hindered by geographical location or time constraints.
(4) Advocacy
With the international medical research confirming the concept of U=U (Undetectable=Untransmittable), the 21st article of HIV Infection Control and Patient Rights Protection Act. in Taiwan underwent an amendment. The original regulation stated, ‘The definition of unsafe sex involve direct contact without the use of protective barriers for organ mucous membranes or body fluids, with a medical assessment indicating a potential risk of HIV infection.' The amendment now reads, ' The definition of unsafe sex shall be formulated by the central competent authority following the relevant regulations outlined by the World Health Organization.' This amendment was announced and implemented on July 21, 2021. Our organization has used various means such as press conferences and videos to help the public understand the U=U concept. This effort contributes to a reconsideration of the existing systems related to PLWHA and strives to create a more understanding and compassionate society
(5)Statistical Summary Table
Project |
Content |
Achievement |
Remarks |
Direct Service |
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Community Care |
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The total contact count for various services throughout the year exceeds 400,000 people |
Financial Aid |
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Counseling |
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Occupational Guidance |
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Referral |
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Halfway House |
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Outreach |
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Telephone and Internet consultation |
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HIV Test |
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Medication pickup service |
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Community Center |
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Workshops |
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Support Groups |
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Leisure/ Growth Activities |
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Internet Service |
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Female PLWHA service |
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Prison Visits and Consultation |
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Substance users’ family support plan |
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Scientific Researched-Based Interventions for Drug Addiction Inmates Project |
Serving HIV-negative inmates in Taichung Abuser Treatment Center, Taichung prison and Taichung Women's Prison |
Taichung Scientific Researched-based Group: 124 sessions, 1,548 participants. |
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Hualian Harm Reduction Center |
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Staff Members Training and Supervision System |
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On Job Training |
Helper Workshops and various training courses |
Our staff has participated in 119 on-the-job training sessions, totaling 505 hours. We provide 4 in-service staff with undergraduate courses ,amounting to a total of 208 hours. |
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Supervision |
Individual and group supervision |
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Intern Guiding and training |
Enhancing professional skills and enriching knowledge and techniques in issues related to HIV/AIDS and drug abuse |
14 College students are on internship |
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Volunteers Recruitment and Training |
Volunteers Recruiting, training, supervising, service-learning |
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PLWHA Service Providers workshop |
Service Providers workshops and seminars |
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International Seminars |
“Practicing Harm Reduction Psychotherapy- An Alternative Approach To Addictions” online international seminars |
We invited the authors of the book, Patt Denning and Jeannie Little, to record video courses and arranged time for online discussions. This enhanced harm reduction knowledge for those assisting substance abuser. By learning from the harm reduction work experiences in the other country, we could brainstorm ways to apply them in our work. There were 5 sessions with 317 participants. |
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Publication of promotional materials |
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Education |
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Publication |
Publishing brochures, e-books & articles |
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Public Relations and Concept Promotion |
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Social Media Promotion |
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Media report |
Reporting about TLA, and engaging in social conversation and cooperation. |
TLA reports has been released on Give Circle, Taiwan NPO Information Platform ,People Citizen Jounalism ,charity.yahoo.com and 15 other local media. |
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Further exploring the issue |
Deepen the discussion of the life of PLWHA in the later years |
We organized two focus groups to address the specific needs of senior PLWHA in areas such as friendly medical services, emotional support, biological care, and financial issues. |
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International Interaction |
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Collaborative Research Project Beyond the Association |
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This year, we collaborated with Assistant Professor Chuang Desmond from the Graduate Institute of Social Work at National Taiwan Normal University and the Taiwan branch of Gilead Sciences, Hong Kong commissioning Kantar Health to conduct two questionnaire surveys. In both collaborations, our role was limited to assisting in the distribution of the questionnaires, and the results of the surveys have not been disclosed yet. Here, we will provide an overview of the directions these two studies aimed to explore. The first survey targeted PLWHA aged 20 and above who hold a national health insurance card, as well as those who have provided assistance to PLWHA, either currently or in the past. The main objective was to understand the correlation and protective factors between the adversities and psychological distress experienced by PLWHA. The survey also aimed to explore how PLWHA and those providing assistance interpret the contextual aspects of "adversities" and "psychological distress." The second survey sought to understand the impact of HIV on the health-related quality of life of PLWHA. It utilized an HIV symptom scale to assess symptom distress and health status, and it also evaluated medication adherence. |
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Alliance |
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HIV Positive Alliance collaborates with our organization, Taiwan HIVStory Association, and the AIDS Nursing Society to host the fourth Poz-Action Conference. Building on the storytelling workshop from 2021, this empowerment camp primarily guides participants in learning various ways to communicate life stories and acquiring new knowledge in HIV medical care. The goal is to help PLWHA reconstruct their lives, grow in strength through mutual sharing, and become advocates who impact others by sharing their stories. Our organization was selected as a member of the Taiwan AIDS Patient Organization (TAPO) Board for the second term, with Cheng-Lung ,Chen serving as the representative. We maintain a collaborative and friendly relationship with other alliance member organizations, working together to advocate for patients in Taiwan across various health conditions. |
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Information System Development |
Including offices in Taipei, Taichung, ,Hualien and therapeutic community system |
During the COVID-19 pandemic, responding to the need for remote work, we adjusted internal networks and equipment, facilitating colleagues to work from home. The construction of the therapeutic community system has been completed. |
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