Save drug junkies before its too late
ALEXANDRA – Drug rehab centre brings services to the people.
Families in Alex struggling with children suspected to be on drugs were urged to seek help before its too late.
This was said by officials at the Drug Rehabilitation Centre at River Park Clinic which was opened earlier this year by Joburg City Mayor Herman Mashaba. This in response to communities’ outcry about increasing drug abuse and associated misconduct and safety risks.
The unit manager Xolani Mpelane and social worker Phello Mohlamonyane urged the residents to be active in their children’s lives in order to diagnose the signs of addiction before it worsens and seek help to save their offsprings.
READ: Top 8 most used drugs by SA youth
“The signs include uncharacteristic changes in behaviour, stealing, loss of interest in school and family support, lying and manipulation,” Mpelane said.
He added that the unit was part of several operating in the entire city as either community-based and inpatient treatment centres or halfway houses for those transitioning back into the communities after treatment.
He said the initiatives, governed by the Substance Abuse Act, serve addicts who attend on a self-referral basis or were brought by families or other third parties.
They add to the existing capacity of NPOs like the South African National Council for Alcohol and Drug Dependency who respond to outcries for help of drug abuse from schools, activists and law enforcement officials. “It’s the City’s response to taking the service to the people classified as either users or abusers.
”They are distinguished by their frequency of use and dependency on drugs with abusers who can’t live without smoking and require inpatient treatment.”
Mohlamonyane said about 10, mostly youth, sought help from the centre with two to three coming in daily. They are either into dagga, nyaope or alcohol which he associated with poverty and broken social fabric in society. “They resort to addiction for solace when they can’t get employment and to prevent stigma associated with their failure in life.”
He added that the therapy provided was complimented by referrals to ensure holistic service provision on condition that the affected first acknowledged their drug problem. “This is to ensure they commit to the treatment plan to avoid relapse, empower their support system and fend off the stigma.”
Added services include:
- Educating them in support groups
- Inpatient support of families to prepare them to receive those who are released and prevent any triggers
- Continuous support through referrals to youth advisory centres, skills development opportunities and crisis centres as part of aftercare.
While mostly boys present for help, girls are also at risk through their high intake of alcohol which Mohlanyane said is a gateway to harder and more addictive drugs. They also have links with clinics, local drug committee, councillors’ forum and the courts to enhance local capacity.
