A full-spectrum of targeted services is key to tackling substance abuse/misuse

Minister Fernandez conducted a site visit to Saltun Bahu facility and Cape Town Drug Counselling Centre yesterday, to highlight measures that promote social cohesion in high crime areas.

 Both of these facilities are DSD funded substance abuse centres in Mitchell’s Plain. The Sultan Bahu Opiate outpatient replacement programme has been a first for the country and makes provision for 94 persons to be treated over 12 weeks, whilst remaining in the community.

 Minister Fernandez said: “ A full-spectrum of targeted services is key to tackling substance abuse/misuse, ranging from prevention, early intervention, through to outpatient and in-patient rehab and aftercare services. We also plan to improve our services to the people of the Western Cape, by identifying the needs of the communities we work with and designing an intervention that suits their needs.” 

 The budget for the substance abuse program and treatment centres for the 2019/20 financial year is R109. 518 million of which, R43 million is for two residential drug treatment centres and drug treatment in its secure-care child and youth care centres. This allocation contributes to helping more than 10 000 people across the province on an annual basis. 

 In the Western Cape, services are available at 87 substance treatment sites. These include 30 registered inpatient treatment facilities, 4 registered halfway houses and 53 registered community-based facilities. 

 DSD funds a further 4 treatment programmes based at schools (areas Houtbay, Elsiesriver, Kuilsriver, Steenberg, Eerste River, Kraaifontein, Stellenbosch and Macassar) these programmes jointly target 550 adolescents. These are key in keeping learners at risk in school, and ensuring the academic year is completed.

 A report presented at the National Conference on Substance Abuse and Family related interventions in 2019 indicates, that for every 1 substance abuse user, 17 people are affected negatively.

 “I believe that together we can come up with a way forward, in terms of what needs to be done by the government and all relevant stakeholders in addressing the challenges being faced by those working in the substance abuse sector. Addressing substance abuse requires a whole of society approach,” says Minister Fernandez.

 Anybody needing more information or assistance can contact us on the www.heretohelp.co.za website, or the DSD hotline on 0800 220 250.