It was a joyous celebration indeed for Laqhakaza Iphara Recovery, a drug rehabilitation NPO, which officially launched at Blue Marlin Hotel in Scottburgh recently.
Chairman Emmanuel Msomi welcomed a variety of guests to the event, including representatives from Scottburgh Saps and Department of Social Development.
He said the purpose of the NPO was to build relationships with key roleplayers in the community, such as the police, to change the lives of addicts in the mid-South Coast area.
“Addicts live a life with a lot of pain and suffering. People cut them off, they end up on the streets, no one cares about them and eventually many addicts turn to crime and go to jail,” he said.
“Some addicts have no hope and I want to be able to change that and give them another chance at life with the help of community members.”
Emmanuel gave a testimony of his own life of how he was able to achieve sobriety through hope and he wants his organisation and team to do the same for others.
A recovering addict and close friend of Emmanuel stated that the NPO was also established particularly to help those who cannot afford to go to rehab and is open to everyone no matter what their skin colour, gender or beliefs are as addiction does not discriminate.
Scottburgh Saps representative, Captain Vijay Moodley, congratulated Emmanuel on creating this life-changing platform and made several suggestions on how the npo and police can work hand in hand.
She mentioned that Emmanuel and his team could eventually create a database of the addicts in Scottburgh to help the police keep track of everyone on the streets, especially if petty crimes are committed.
She also hopes the NPO can permanently solve the bogus car guard situation on Scott Street where the addicts posing as car guards are rehabilitated and will potentially stop harassing people for money.
“People have complained countless times about these bogus car guards and no permanent solution was ever at hand,” said Captain Moodley.
“It is already heartwarming knowing that this npo is willing to work with the police to better society.”
A number of other guests and role players wished Emmanuel well on this journey to help addicts get onto the road of recovery and many offered their support.
An Umzinto local has already donated land to the NPO and is discussing plans of building a recovery centre for Laqhakaza Iphara Recovery in the near future.
Emmanuel thanked everyone who attended the launch, and a special to thanks to those who made the day possible, especially IFP MP and mid-South Coast local Narend Singh.
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