A war on drugs and alcohol in President Ridge

Drug and Alcohol Wars South Africa changes the lives of the women who enter their doors in need of help.

The non-profit organisation, which serves as a rehabilitation facility for women, is based in President Ridge and trades as Angels Reintegration Centre for Ladies.

The centre is said to be the only women’s home in the country for former drug and alcohol addicts and houses up to 12 women.

Walter Roscher, one of the home’s directors said the need for the facility arose when the daughter of the founder of the organisation who has been an active heroin user and struggled with the addiction for the past eight years fell pregnant.

She had been at countless rehabilitation facilities where men and women live together.

“Coupled with all the problems that come with addiction, sex within these facilities is rife, now she [the founder] is looking after a grandson from a one night stand her daughter had at a facility,” said Roscher.

 

It has been estimated that 80 per cent of women who suffer from drug and alcohol addiction have been victims of sexual, physical, and mental abuse and in most cases all three of them.

After the women have been through a detox programme they go the home to have their needs addressed through programmes that are geared for the individual.

Roscher said though the home had come a long way in the past few months, they were still in the early stages and faced a lot of challenges.

“We struggle with food and general necessities the ladies need, as most of them come here and cannot afford much so we try not to turn them away because once you turn an addict away that could be the last you see of them.”

VTC Africa Foundation was approached by the home for help and the foundation was willing to get involved.

Raffael Tavares, a representative of the foundation said this was a great opportunity for them as they were looking for something to get involved in.

“We have so far worked well together and secured this home for them,” he said.

He added that because they worked in the construction industry they were able to provide the home with certain things it needed.

Fellow representative Sabrina Tavares said they wanted the women to feel proud and at home.

“A programme like this not only helps them get jobs and reintegrate in society but it also gives them companionship,” she said.

The facility urges the public to assist with donations.

Details: Drug and Alcohol Wars South Africa, 082 335 5444.