Help at hand for addicts

Kwa-Thema – Thabang Xaba Foundation has dedicated itself to helping young people in Kwa-Thema fight substance abuse.

The foundation’s Mxolisi Shibambo said through the years they have seen more and more young people walking
through their doors, seeking help to curb their addiction.
“We see over 50 walkin applicants in a month who are ready to rebuild their lives. The few rehabilitation centres
we are linked with can only take a limited number of addicts per cycle.

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“The waiting period and process they have to go through to prepare them for rehab often frustrates them and they end up dropping out.
“Unfortunately, we cannot overlook some of these processes because if they are rushed into rehab they end up demanding to be released within a week after admission,” he said.
Mxolisi added that addicts have to undergo a psycho social evaluation with social workers for a period of six
weeks.
“They have to see a medical doctor who will also compile a report on their health. We also have to visit their homes to try rebuild their relationship with family members because many are homeless.

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“This is to make sure that upon their return from the rehabilitation centres, they will have a roof over their heads
and loved ones,” he said.
Upon their return home, the recovering addicts receive skills training from the foundation.
This includes time management, computer end-user training and life skills training.
“We also link them with the companies we are working with for job placements,” he said.

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