The extension works of the "Centre d'Aide et Ecoute" in Thyna, Governorate of Sfax, were launched, Monday, in the presence of U.S. Ambassador in Tunis Gordon Gray and the local governor.

The initial centre, built with a 487,500-Tunisian- dinar grant from the United States Government Humanitarian Assistance Programme opened its doors in 2007. In 2001, an additional amount of 525,000 dinars was granted to build an extension and double the patient capacity of the centre.

Administered by the "Association Tunisienne de lutte contre la Toximonie," the centre provides rehabilitation services to youth with drug addiction problems. In addition to medical care, patients receive psychological support to assist with their re-integration in society.

The US Ambassador also inaugurated the new Franklin Centre in Sfax which offers to the public nearly 1,000 English language books, magazines and videos.