SWARTFONTEIN – A 26-year-old recovering drug addict, who voluntarily underwent a rehabilitation programme, walked out of the Swartfontein Treatment Centre on Monday, a free man.
Lucky Bakker of Entokozweni, who received help from the SABC-owned radio station, Ligwalagwala FM after his grandmother spoke openly about his drug addiction, vowed never to touch them again.
He spent his 2013 festive season at Swartfontein Treatment Centre (STC).
“Now I’m okay and feeling great. From here, I have so many plans that will improve my life after having been a drug addict,” Bakker said.
He started smoking dagga in 2003 and started taking heroin and rock in 2009. He was studying financial management at Ehlanzeni FET College when he started taking drugs and couldn’t finish his course, so he left.
He first attended rehab sessions with South African Council for Alcoholism Lowveld before being approved for Swartfontein.
He said this rehabilitation changed his life. He now knows what is important in life and he can also differentiate between good and bad friends. Bakker alleged he was influenced to take drugs.
He said, as he attended the programme, he could see his life was falling apart and getting worse.
He was happy now that he was living at the STC for the opportunity to start a new life with new people who would bring positive attributes to his life.
Bakker was convicted three times because of his addiction, for shoplifting and housebreaking.
He told this newspaper that he was willing to run his own project one day, focusing on youth, art and culture.
Madumane Simelane of Ligwalagwala FM is the man behind Bakker’s recovery from being a drug addict to a man who has good intentions for his life.
Centre manager Rennie Mothilal said that since Bakker had attended their programme, she had never received any complaints from his therapist.
“Regarding his behaviour throughout the programme, it will be his therapist to explain everything in detail because she had a personal interaction in terms of the therapy and in terms of his progression.”
Mothilal said he had coped well. She added that he arrived with a very positive attitude and managed to maintain it throughout the programme.
She said he underwent 12 weeks’ therapy, which covered all the aspects and treatment.
On completion, he underwent a release interview with his social worker who prepared him for life outside the centre.
He was now expected to link with Sanca Lowveld, which was responsible for his after-care therapy.
She said this was a very important part of the regimen, and he would not be left to cope in isolation.
