Cosup urges drug users to come to their clinic
“Sometimes you see parents who bring their children to join our program. The parents are hurt as the kids are terrorising them. There is no relationship between them.”
Community Oriented Substance Use Programme (Cosup) in Hercules is urging drug users and families, who have members who are struggling with drug abuse, to join their programme.
Community health worker Palesa Manchidi said their main aim was to help drug users.
“We are there to identify them and assist them,” said Manchidi.
“Our programme includes a clinical associate, who is our doctor, who takes care of the medical side of things.
“We also have a social worker for private, family, spiritual and group counselling. You don’t need to make an appointment and are welcome to come in at any time from 08:00-16:00.”
Manchidi said the programme did not force people to stop, but instead to make users aware of the harm of the drugs they were using.
“We are there to support them. We also have the drop-in centre where a person can get food and a bath if needed.
“It brings a sense of humanity to them. We also have contributions of clothing which come in now and again.”
Cosup co-leader Kenny Mafala said drugs were a big problem in the area and had led to many homes being broken many homes.
“Sometimes you see parents who bring their children to join our programme. The parents are hurt as the kids are terrorising them. There is no relationship between them.”
He urged parents to bring their children to the clinic.
“It is not easy, but maybe someday something good might come out of it.”
Johan Cloete, from the Pretoria West community care forum, also urged parents not to give up on their children who are using drugs.
“Do not throw your kids away. Stand with them, join the programme or bring your children to us to speak to Cosup. Help your children to become better people, help them to get over this drug problem and lift them out of that dark hole.”
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