Giving support to recovering drug addicts and their families

Young and old congregation and community members and several stakeholders joined in on the walk around the neighbourhood, with placards that had different messages about drug use and supportive messages for recovering drug users.

According to the organisers of the event, the purpose of the walk was to raise awareness around the support available for rehabilitated users and families of the affected and to contest the social stigma and shame that surrounds addiction in all its forms.

The awareness walk also celebrated the role that recovery plays in improving the lives of individuals, families, the Geluksdal community and surrounding areas.

“This is an opportunity to publicly show that recovering from addiction is possible. This year we are using the theme ‘Creating a Healthy Community through Empowerment and Support’,” says founder and chairperson of NDSG, advocate Alison Bengston.

“The NDSG is ready to provide continued support and empowerment to the families and loved ones of recovering addicts.”

Bengston adds that the support group started in February this year with only 16 supporters, but over the last nine months the support group has grown to 31 members, 12 of whom are recovering addicts.

“We have a group for supporters as well as a group for recovering addicts who are tested weekly. Records are then kept of all the tests conducted,” explains Bengston.

“We would like to invite the parents, family members and addicts to come to the support group every Wednesday from 7pm, at the Rehoboth Christian Fellowship Church in Geluksdal.”