Ex-prisoner appointed as leader of a Drug Rehab Center: The Destructive of Drugs is Irreversible
“Eating three meals a day in a prison cell while smelling the stench from the toilet is a feeling that will forever remain etched in my memory..."
Translate By: Thong Ling Hui
Image Editing: Tai Xin Yu
In everyone's life, there are phases of darkness and brightness. However, some individuals have endured a profound abyss of darkness and ultimately made the choice to rediscover hope. Their stories are both astonishing and poignant, serving as symbols of courage and hope. Ignatius Wong stands as a testament to this transformative journey, having successfully emerged from his past as an ex-prisoner. Presently, he serves as a leader and pastor at a drug rehab center in Klang, dedicated to guiding drug victims through their darkest days and helping them regain hope.
His life began with a fractured family
Ignatius Wong's life began with a broken family. His father, who was addicted to gambling, prostitution, and alcohol, showed little concern for his children's upbringing. Throughout Ignatius's school years from primary to secondary (1970-1980), he faced frequent encounters with school violence as a thin and vulnerable young man. With limited pocket money, he struggled to make ends meet, often falling prey to older students who exploited and intimidated him for whatever little money he had. While most children receive support from their fathers, Ignatius's father remained a stranger to him throughout his formative years.
Ignatius considers himself fortunate if he got to see his father five times a week. His father would come home while he was asleep and leave for work before he woke up. In their broken family, he never had a chance to ask his father for assistance. To prevent his mother from getting into trouble, he chose to remain silent and take matters into his own hands. One day, Ignatius's friend suggested, "Since you have to pay a protection fee, why not give it to the gangster group? At least there will be a leader in the group to protect you." Encouraged by his friends, he made the unfortunate decision to join the gangster group as a means to escape violence and the extortion of protection fees. This marked the beginning of his mistake.
"After joining the gangster group, nobody dared to bully me anymore because I was responsible for collecting protection fees from students. I had to pay a portion of the collected money to the leader, and I would resort to violence against students when necessary."
At the age of 13, Ignatius was already collecting protection fees amounting to more than RM1000, a significant sum for that time. As he accumulated more fees, his territory expanded, leading to conflicts with rival gangs. During one such disagreement, the gang leader called upon all the members, including Ignatius, to engage in a fight. Despite being only around 122cm tall and thin, Ignatius felt fear in the face of real violence, prompting him to choose a relatively long knife as his protective tool. Though the knife matched his height, he remained frightened. It was during this time that Ignatius observed his older peers using drugs or injecting substances, fueling his curiosity to learn more. Encouraged by his seniors, they told him, "Don't be scared, young man. Try it, and you won't feel fear anymore. You'll be fine." This marked the beginning of Ignatius's journey into drug use.
"After taking drugs, I felt an incredible sense of fearlessness. When someone shouted, 'Go!' I chased after my opponent. Unfortunately, before I could swing my own knife, I was slashed in the chest."
Witnessing Ignatius bleeding, his opponent dropped the knife and fled. Ignatius seized the opportunity to fight back, leaving an X-shaped cut on his attacker's back. Following this incident, he became the leader's assistant and the shortest 'young decision maker' within the gangster group. During those days, he would consume drugs during negotiations or confrontations involving weapons. However, these occurrences became more frequent, and after eight years with the gangsters, drugs completely consumed his life. He fell into a deep cycle of drug abuse that lasted 21 years, leading to a prison sentence where he spent four years behind bars. The drugs not only robbed him of his freedom but also distanced him from his family.
The Prison Years
"When I first entered prison, I felt completely helpless and panicked. I was worried about all sorts of things inside the prison, like the environment and the accommodations."
Ignatius recounted his terrible experience upon entering prison. Initially, he was placed in a cell with over 200 people, all waiting for their own assigned cells. He described the floor mat as being cleaner than the small blankets provided, which were so tiny that he couldn't decide if they were meant for pillows or blankets.
Later on, after his conviction, he was transferred to another prison. The cell there measured only 13 feet long and 12 feet wide. Between 2000 and 2002, the prison was already overcrowded, and Ignatius had to share the cell with 15 other inmates. It was an experience he would never forget.
Sixteen prisoners crammed together for months, enduring both hot and cold weather, with no blankets to rest on, only the bare floor. Due to limited opportunities for showers, every three days, and spending long hours sleeping on the filthy floor, almost all inmates suffered from skin diseases. "In prison, we could only shower once every three days, and the toilets in the cells were only flushed once a day," Ignatius recalled. When the water arrived once a day, everyone faced the difficult choice of whether to collect it for drinking or use it to flush the toilets.
Ignatius also shared his nightmare experience with the plastic lunch boxes in prison. These lunch boxes were covered in black grease stains and were never properly cleaned. Sometimes, the lunch boxes would even be dragged on the floor during delivery, which was extremely unhygienic. As a result, clean lunch boxes became highly coveted and often the subject of fights among prisoners. The prison menu included chicken twice a week, lamb once a week, and occasionally fish. However, disgustingly, the fish heads sometimes had parasites, and prisoners had to be extra careful when picking the fish apart to eat.
Life in prison was incredibly challenging for the inmates, and each day felt monotonous and never-ending. The prisoners lost track of time as they didn't have access to daily newspapers, making it difficult to know the exact day of the month.
There were five daily master counts in prison: at 7am, 10am, before lunch, at 3pm, and in the evening in the cells. When the whistle blew, prisoners had to quickly and quietly line up. Only when the count was accurate could they resume their normal movement.
"At 7am, we would receive breakfast and have the opportunity to go out to the field or court for some activities. We also had simple activities among ourselves, like playing chess, card games, and mahjong," Ignatius recalled. During these activities, if one side lost, the punishment would usually be a set number of push-ups. It was the only time they could relax and interact with one another.
A Transformative Journey:
From a Change of Heart to Salvation
Ignatius initially felt hopeless about his future. He had cut off contact with his family and remained homeless even after being released from prison. It was only when a Christian volunteer came to evangelise that Ignatius began to challenge himself.
After his release from prison in 2003, Ignatius reached out to Malaysian Care. They sent him to a Christian drug rehab center where he lived for 10 years. He spent 2 years completing a drug rehabilitation program at the Christian rehab. Following that, he volunteered at Malaysian Care for 4 years before being sent to bible school. During his time at bible school, Ignatius was mentored by an Indian spiritual father who financially supported him with RM30,000 to complete a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in 4 years. This experience made Ignatius feel like a father figure for the first time, despite their different backgrounds and skin colours.
After graduating, Ignatius started visiting churches and schools regularly to share his education and personal experiences regarding drugs. He aimed to raise awareness and caution people about the dangers of drug abuse. Five years ago, Ignatius took over the Grace Center in Klang and became the person in charge of the facility.
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Bathroom in Grace Center
The surrounding environment of Grace Center is remote and quiet, providing an ideal setting for students to complete their drug rehabilitation programs. Ignatius has various animals at the center, including sheep, chickens, turtles, and dogs. He believes that animals can offer emotional support and warmth, helping to build trust, reduce anxiety and depression, and facilitate the recovery process. Additionally, Ignatius ensures that the students spend time in the sun every day. Sunbathing is beneficial for flushing out the toxins that remain in a drug addict's body. It typically takes at least 5 years for these toxins to be completely eliminated. As a precautionary measure, he advises the children in rehab not to get married or have children during this 5-year period to minimise the risk of the next generation developing drug addiction.
Grace Center students cleaning up leaves in the courtyard
The Most Wonderful Gifts:
Acceptance and Forgiveness from Family Members
The ex-prisoner, recently released from prison, carries the weight of past mistakes and pain, but also holds onto a newfound hope and a strong desire to change.
"When I first got out of prison, I used to feel sensitive and offended when people called me an 'ex-prisoner'. But now, I have become insensitive because of my prison experience, and ultimately, I have made the right changes."
Ignatius's biggest regret in life is not being able to see his mother one last time. The last time he saw her was on her 60th birthday, but instead of sending well wishes, he begged her for money to buy drugs, which led to his imprisonment. He has always carried a deep sense of guilt and had hoped to show his filial piety once rehabilitated by returning to his mother. Ignatius also wants to caution his students against following a path of regret and encourages them to honour and cherish their parents while they are still alive.
Through Ignatius's changes and efforts, his family has gained a new perspective on him, leading to a reestablishment of contact. Furthermore, Ignatius and his wife, whom he met 8 years ago in bible school, have a profound connection and deep affection for each other. Ignatius is immensely grateful to his wife for giving him a chance to change and for giving him the courage to propose and marry. Their marriage is not only a testament to their commitment and love, but also symbolises Ignatius's transformation and rebirth.
"One of the most challenging aspects of our relationship was convincing my wife's family to accept me, as they strongly disapproved of drug addicts. This caused confusion and inner turmoil for my wife, who worried that her family would not be able to accept me."
In 2015, Ignatius courageously proposed in front of his wife's family, hoping to gain their approval and hear her say "I do." After answering two questions from his father-in-law, Ignatius received the reassurance that his father-in-law trusted him and entrusted his daughter to him. Ignatius promised to work hard to provide his wife with a good life and to stay away from drugs. This promise showcased Ignatius's commitment to marriage and his pursuit of family happiness, which made his wife's family hopeful and willing to accept him. Presently, Ignatius's father-in-law occasionally visits the Grace Center to share and interact with the students, proudly mentioning that his son-in-law is a leader in the drug rehab center. The pride and support of his father-in-law have strengthened the bond between Ignatius and his wife's family, providing further motivation for his ongoing efforts and struggles.
Sheep in the Grace Center
A Bright Path Ahead:
A call to society and a vision for the future
Faced with the problem of drug use among young people, Ignatius emphasises that "the future may witness an increase in drug use among young individuals due to the temporary escape and euphoria that drugs provide, relieving them from thinking and stress."
Ignatius strongly advises young people who have never experimented with drugs to refrain from trying them altogether, as the damage they cause is irreversible. He also encourages those who are already addicted to drugs to not lose hope, as there is an entrance and an exit to this destructive path. With a genuine desire to change and taking decisive actions, there is a chance to break free from the clutches of drugs. Ignatius' own journey serves as proof that starting afresh is possible, and he urges those struggling with addiction to persevere, seek help, and find support.
Looking ahead, Ignatius aspires to establish a drug rehab center specifically for women, enabling them to overcome addiction and rebuild their lives. Opening and operating such a facility requires resources, funding, and expertise. With determination, Ignatius is courageously working towards this objective, seeking suitable partners and raising funds. Regardless of the outcome, his willingness and dedication are commendable, and it is hoped that his work and influence in the field of addiction recovery will continue to provide assistance and inspiration to those in need.
The mission of Ignatius Wong continues, and his story is far from reaching its conclusion.