The Gauteng Department of Social Development in West Rand Region is trying to reach out to communities ravaged by the excessive use of substances.
This follows a noticeable increase in drug addiction by the Gauteng Provincial Government social cluster departments amongst the youth. Young people have been found to be abusing substances such as nyaope, dagga, alcohol, and tobacco for different reasons. But at the end community pays a significant cost.
During a radio interview at Westside FM Community Radio station, the department's Social Worker Hope Dube warned the community on the dangers of substance use and abuse and encouraged them to utilise the services offered by the department so that they can deal with this challenge.
"When we talk about treatment, we take beneficiaries to rehabilitation to get treatment. After treatment, we offer reintegration and aftercare. Reintegration is any social intervention with the aim of integrating former or current substance users into their community. We assist the beneficiaries with housing, education, and employment.
Aftercare means ongoing professional support to a service user after a formal treatment programme has ended to enable them to maintain sobriety or abstinence, personal growth and to enhance self-reliance and proper social functioning. We assist them to be able to face the community and gain trust again", Dube explained.
She added that "We have various programmes that we render during reintegration and aftercare. Relapse prevention: coping with stigmatisation, re-building relationships, decision making and problem-solving, coping with peer pressure, anger management, coping with stress at work and home, seeking employment-compiling a CV and going for job interviews, skills development and support groups also play an important role in recovery.
The community must remember we offer these services at no cost to them, the programme has worked, and it continues to assist community members in need. As a department, will always be available for them".
The campaign was also rolled out in various community radio station across the province.