MONAR was the idea of Marek Kotanski, a psychologist and therapist who devoted his life to helping drug addicts and alcoholics.

Kotanski died in a car crash in 2002. Several days before his death, in an interview for Polish Radio he said how important it is to be in touch with children and teenagers.

During the 30 years of existence, MONAR helped some 14 thousand addicts. Celebrations commemorating the 30th anniversary of the centre will be held throughout Poland until March, sessions, lectures and meetings with psychologists and therapists are planned, as well as concerts featuring the best of the Polish music scene, held under the slogan ‘We play without drugs'.

There are some 120 thousand people with addiction problems in Poland, estimates the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction.