PALMRIDGE- Ekurhuleni revealed that it is ready to fight the scourge of substance abuse in its communities during the official opening of the Palmridge Community Based Substance Abuse Day Clinic.
Together with its partner, the Gauteng Social Development Department, EMM is on a drive to convert aging clinics into substance abuse day clinics in an effort to increase accessibility to treatment interventions.
Monica Meyer, an Edenpark resident who heads the Local Drug Action Committee (LDAC), expressed her gratitude for the new rehab center. “We often have drug addicts who are ready to quit referred to us and we sometimes do not know where to take them as facilities are far and parents cannot afford the private rehab centers,” said Meyer. “The center which is near will help the LDAC a great deal where we will be able to visit the facilities to support the patients we referred to the center,” she added.
MMC for Health and Social Development, Councillor Makhosazana Mabaso, urged the Palmridge community and surrounding areas to encourage those in need to utilise the facility and that those recovering be supported through the rehabilitation phase.
Comprehensive assessment, counselling services, rehabilitation and detoxing, recreational and fitness programmes are among the services offered at the facility. The center will accept walk-in patients and referrals from social workers, schools and the community.
For more information residents may contact the Department of Social Development’s regional office on 011 306 5350.
