Drug busters need help

WITH drugs, alcohol and other dependencies dominating headlines and wreaking disaster among families, facilities like SANCA Zululand are more in need now than ever.

But the organisation, like so many other NPOs, receives state funding far below its running costs, leaving it to operate perpetually in the red.

Just as the potential is there for every person to become an addict, so SANCA Zululand’s services benefit everybody, from rural children and youth, to teachers, other professionals and community members both rural and urban, without discrimination.

Having won last year’s Zululand Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Business Excellence Award for ‘Service Excellence: Community’, SANCA Zululand’s award-winning programmes focus on creating awareness of the harmful consequences of substance abuse.

Programmes include prevention, life skills, a peer educator programme, community member training and treatment programmes.

‘The goal of our programmes is to enhance behaviour change, thereby promoting healthy and responsible living,’ said SANCA Zululand Director Shireen Sahadev.

‘The link between substance abuse and HIV/AIDS is also discussed and through education, children, youth and community members are equipped with information and life skills to make informed decisions about substances, to effectively cope with stressful situations, where alcohol and drugs are used inappropriately, and to make healthier and productive lifestyle choices.’

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Financial burden

While these programmes are highly effective and in demand, they can be costly to run.

‘SANCA Zululand receives funding from the Department of Social Development – for salaries only – and, operating at a deficit each month, is struggling financially,’ said Shireen.

‘Our focus has shifted to the rural areas, thus reaching the previously disadvantaged and under-serviced communities.’

‘We would appreciate a donation towards our operational expenses, including premises security, assets insurance, office equipment rental, as well as travelling, telephone and printing costs.’

Sahadev said donations towards travelling would make SANCA Zululand’s programmes more accessible in rural areas.

Having been in operation in the greater Empangeni community since 1975, SANCA Zululand started out as Drugs Anonymous / Dwelms Anoniem before becoming a sub-committee of SANCA Durban in 1975, with its eventual name change in 1996 to Alcohol and Drug Help Centre – SANCA Zululand.

Its mission is to address alcoholism and drug dependence through the provision of specialised, accessible and affordable development, prevention and treatment services.

For more information on helping support this worthy, time-tested organisation, contact Shireen Sahadev on 035 7723290/01 or sancaz@zwn.co.za.

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