Committed to achieving a drug free community

INTERNATIONAL Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trade was observed on Friday, June 26. The day has been marked by an initiative by the United Nations as an action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.

In keeping with this goal, Thabitha Community Care Services director, Renette Roskruge remains committed, despite all odds, to combat drug abuse, addiction and trade in the community of Wentworth. Through her community work, she shared that she has noticed a continuous increase in drug abuse throughout the years. Her counselling sessions with addicts reveal that poverty, unemployment, absent fathers, unresolved emotional issues, flat overcrowding, peer pressure and ineffective policing as the biggest contributors to the high level of drug abuse.

She runs the NGO which operates as an outpatient rehabilitative centre, a first for Wentworth as there is nothing being offered in the community to address, manage and prevent substance abuse. “Our strategy is preventative, promotive and rehabilitative which forms our three in one healthcare approach. We have been running since 2014 and have found rehabilitating addicts very effective especially with the older age groups and with females. Unfortunately there is a poor success rate amongst adolescents and the youth.

“The Covid-19 lockdown restrictions have had a negative impact on the program. Support group meetings have ground to a halt and this is where most members drew spiritual and emotional strength from. The one-on-one sessions have stopped and this delays rehabilitation progress. With the lockdown, I’ve also noticed that addicts are very mobile, do not practice social distancing and do not follow necessary health and safety precautions,” said Renette reflecting on the unforeseen challenges she has encountered recently.

Nonetheless she is committed to doing the work that she believes God has called her to do.

I have faith that every addict has the potential to recover and it doesn’t matter how many times they stumble and fall, but it’s the getting up and trying again that’s important.

“The recovery rate is good and looking at my recovered addicts gives me hope that God has plans for each of them as confirmed in Jeremiah 29 vs 11. For the youth who haven’t started, be smart, don’t start. Say no to drugs. Look around your community, at friends and family affected by drugs, it all started with just one hit. Don’t do it,” she urged.

The centre is situated at 4 Tifflin Road, Wentworth. For more information or to support this worthy organisation call Renette Roskruge on 067-075-4163.

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