Recovering addict lends a hand
On Friday the centre, in collaboration with Sanca, SAPS and local business leaders, hosted an outreach programme for recovering addicts.
Duduza – Recovering addict Themba Magubane has turned his life around to help other recovering addicts find a place in their community.
Magubane, who lived a life of drugs and crime for 11 years, decided to clean up his act almost three years ago.
He is the cofounder of Masakhane NGO, a centre that offers aftercare services for recovering drug addicts in Duduza.
Duduza project is looking for donations to help former and current drug users
On Friday the centre, in collaboration with Sanca, SAPS and local business leaders, hosted an outreach programme for recovering addicts.
“Through this initiative we are able to offer recovering addicts life skills training to enable them to find their feet in rebuilding their lives.
“I know and understand their journey because I was there two years and nine months ago.
“I needed someone who was prepared to listen and not judge me, but residents would shut doors in my face because of my past.
“But no one was there, I had to crawl and motivate myself through the process,” he said.
Man arrested for drug possession
Magubane said one challenge they are facing in Duduza is the support from local clinics.
“Addicts who are ready to clean up their act are often turned away whenever they go to the facilities to take their vitamins for their medical profile.
“We need all stakeholders to step forward to help us fight drugs in our community.
“Treating addicts and those recovering as second-class citizens won’t help rid the community of drugs,” he added.
Signs your teenager is using drugs
Duduza police spokesperson Sgt Harry Manaka said they have identified some of the challenges that recovering addicts face on a daily basis.
“They face rejection from families, society and businesses when they seek employment and, as a result, they end up relapsing.
“We need all stakeholders to come to the party and help these young people fight substance abuse.
“We cannot expect them to curb their addiction if we fail to welcome them back in the community.
“As the police, we will keep fighting drug use and trafficking without fear or favour.
“However, we also advise users to apply for expungement of criminal records when the time has lapsed,” he said.
Stakeholders presented on different services available to assist after rehabilitation.
