Centre for recovering addicts opens
"We are committed to challenging our resources into helping with this insurmountable social challenge."
A NEW after-care facility for post-rehab narcotics addiction patients, the Napier Centre 4 Healing, will be opened in the Ekukhanyeni Mission not far from Verulam in the Iqadi region of the KZN North Coast.
The announcement was made to leaders of civil society, media, the faith community, city officials, business and stakeholders at St Joseph’s parish in Morningside on Wednesday 23 August, at a function hosted by Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier OFM and attended by the Centre’s new patrons, executive and support team.
The Napier Centre 4 Healing is a project being championed by Cardinal Napier. It follows in the footsteps of the remarkably successful interfaith facility the Denis Hurley Centre in the heart of the city of Durban which does innovative multi-pronged campaigning and support work for the city’s destitute and marginalised. The DHC is a living tribute to the memory of Archbishop Denis Hurley, which is actively supported by many religious groups and civil society – working across faith lines to reach out to the city’s poor.
“Statistics are alarming – the state rehab facilities boast less than a 2% success rate. So much of society’s challenges in regards to broken families, crime and community-tension, can be traced to street-level substance abuse. The need to support recovering addicts is enormous. We are committed to challenging our resources into helping with this insurmountable social challenge,” said Cardinal Napier.
The Centre will be open to all denominations and a strong effort will be made to help residents reconnect with their spiritual roots. The final phase of the programme will include training for employment of some kind, in order to give recovering addicts a sense of ownership of their own lives, together with purpose and hope for the future.
“Whilst more fortunate people may be able to pay for time at a private clinic to reach for recovery, the poor can’t afford the help they need. Those who sincerely want to break the chains of their addiction to alcohol or drugs can go to a government detox centre. But with nowhere to go except back to the streets, they quickly relapse into the grip of addiction,” explained Fr Stephen Tully, Chair of the NC4H executive.
The Napier Centre 4 Healing will provide the secondary care that most addicts require, with the opportunity to continue residential rehabilitation for up to 12 months. The programme will be headed by a house ‘mother and father’ on site, with the services of specialist professionals.
To find out how to get involved in the Napier Centre 4 Healing visit www.napiercentre4healing.org.za.
