Soweto walk-in centre fights substance abuse

MEC for Social Development Faith Mazibuko officially opened the Tladi Community walk-in centre for substance abuse at Tladi on March 31.

The centre is set to help people who are trying to overcome substance abuse and to address the lengthy waiting list for rehabilitation facilities in Soweto.

The facility will offer group therapy sessions, sick beds for patients in need of medical attention, and morning treatment sessions as part of its outpatient treatment offerings.

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“The waiting list in Soweto has 32 000 people, so if you are still on the waiting list that means you won’t be admitted to rehab anytime soon.

“We recognised the need to open a walk-in centre so that those who have applied for rehabilitation but have not yet received approval might receive treatment here rather than having to wait,” said Mazibuko

She said that there will be a halfway house skill centre where beneficiaries will be trained. “Once they are skilled, they will have more chances of getting jobs.”

The facility is different from conventional rehabilitation facilities in that it allows patients to sleep in their homes while providing treatment services.

The centre will partner with organisations specialising in substance abuse to refer individuals in need of treatment.

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SANCA Soweto communication officer Moses Seaga said he believes that the opening of the centre will assist them in helping a large number of drug victims efficiently.

“Walk-in centers like this make things easier for both us and the community. These kinds of facilities help us make progress in reducing the large number of drug users,” said Seaga.

One community member, Portia Mahange, said that she thinks that the drug issue that the country is facing needs a multi-pronged approach, and walk-in centers are one of the key elements that can help address it.

“Given that the MEC has stated that there are a significant number of individuals on the waiting list, I think the center will fulfil its obligations because those on waiting lists also need to be attended to.

“I believe that to help drug abusers not to relapse families should receive assistance as well because in most cases they are often the source of drug usage among users,” she said.