RAUF helping towards a drug-free Estcourt
The foundation offers more than just drug rehabilitation, and through its programmes, it empowers individuals with necessary social skills to integrate back into their respective communities with a fresh and sober perspective
South African non-governmental organisation (NGO), The Re-focus and Upliftment Foundation (RAUF) is now offering Estcourt individuals struggling with an addiction to drugs, the positive help and support needed to fight the tight hold of narcotics.
On Wednesday, October 28 the foundation visited Estcourt to share the work they have done with the hope of reaching audience members who are looking for such help. RAUF was established in 1998 and is a non-governmental, non-profit, public benefit organisation that aims to combat substance abuse and other social ills by empowering the community through counselling, rehabilitation, skills development, family support and the implementation of community awareness strategies.
Its goal is helping promote self-reliant, drug-free communities. RAUF’s rehabilitation programmes have proven successful with requests from all provinces to accommodate and rehabilitate affected individuals increasing at an alarming rate. Due to Estcourt’s serious drug issue, meetings will now be held every Wednesday at the Forderville Hall at 7.30pm for substance abusers, their families, and the general public.
The foundation offers more than just drug rehabilitation, and through its programmes, it empowers individuals with necessary social skills to integrate back into their respective communities with a fresh and sober perspective. The affects substance abuse has on the youth and ultimately, society as a whole, left the founders of the organisation with no other alternative but to begin to address the issue.
The organisation is based on Durban’s south coast, where a halfway house is available for individuals who are seeking rehabilitation for their drug problems. The foundation is constantly improving its services to the community as they understand the challenge and courage needed for addicts to make a choice, to not only change their lives, but to completely release the mental addiction to the substances as well.
“If you look at addiction and work with an addict in isolation, it is worthless. Therefore, we aim to educate the families of addicts even before we take them in. The problem is that many families are in denial and do not try to manage the situation. We can help by offering assistance and intervention programmes. We would like to see more people attending these sessions.
“The effects of the rehabilitation will not be enough if the approach to helping an addict does not go beyond the rehab. The families and friends need to be part of the rehabilitation process. And even after rehab, the foundation aims to continue counselling and assisting those individuals with getting back into their daily lives,” said Irshaad Desai.
“We will take anyone with the readiness and willingness, no money is needed. However, if the individual can afford the meal per day, then we will appreciate the assistance, but as 90 percent of the people we treat cannot afford it, so we do not ask,” added Mr Desai
Patients are treated until they can be re-integrated into society, but remain on a continuous support programme.
“The problem is that many families are in denial and do not try to manage the situation. “We can help by offering assistance and intervention programmes. We would like to see more people attending these sessions, “expressed Mr Desai. For more information contact Irshaad Desai on 063 352 5109 or Ramika Peerbhay on 036 352 5186 or 073 522 6946.
