The City of Johannesburg plans to open five substance abuse treatment centres in this financial year to shore up its war against drugs and substance abuse.
Speaking at the opening of the first treatment centre in Tladi, Soweto, yesterday, the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Herman Mashaba said the war on drugs can only be won by authorities and communities uniting to flush away drug dealers in Jozi.
Mashaba, who was accompanied by members his executive, said the intention was to kill the dreams of young people.
“As a City, we do understand that socially, it is impossible for some communities to break out of the clutches of drug cartels that target them. We also understand that in many of our City’s communities, the business of drugs has become the community’s informal economy; sometimes, residents refuse to point out dealers because, in one small way or another, the economy of drugs generates the only income for some people.
“However, this illicit economy kills. If it is not stopped immediately, the spread of drugs will choke and suppress the development of our communities, including Tladi and the surrounding areas,” said Mayor Mashaba.
The City of Joburg Health and Social Development launched the substance abuse treatment strategy programme following an outcry by communities that children were being ravaged by drugs, especially nyaope.
The Community Based Substance Abuse Treatment Centres are an effort by the City to address the scourge of drugs in most vulnerable communities. These centres will compliment services rendered by both private and state owned rehabilitation centres, which tend to be inaccessible and unaffordable to our indigent residents.
Although institutionalisation should be a last resort, these centres will work with individuals, families and communities to ensure an integrated approach. Other community-based substance abuse treatment centres will be established in Westbury Clinic, Riverpark Clinic in Alexandra, Joubert Park Clinic and the Eldorado Park Extension 9 Clinic.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Health and Social Development Cllr Mpho Phalatse said all efforts will be undertaken to fight substance abuse and related social ills.
“It is important that we provide a full package that will including referring those who will undergo the programme opportunities in life. We will be working closely with some of our departments in the city to provide skills development and other interventions so as to limit chances of our patients from relapsing,” said MMC Phalatse.
Mandla Mbatha, a recovering substance abuser, told guests that it was important that communities embrace the treatment centre in Tladi and help those who are abusing drugs.
“I have gone through hell and I have seen how drugs can destroy not only you but those close to you. I have hurt my mother in so many ways, but today I stand before you to say I am clean of drugs. I stand here to tell you that it’s possible to leave a drug free life, all that we need to do is to support those who are finding it difficult to quite,” said Mbatha to applause.
Amos Ngwenya, a Tladi resident, said the substance abuse treatment centre was long overdue. He called on Mayor Mashaba to do more to save the lives of young people.
“These kids don’t have a future. All that they do is to smoke these drugs and rob us of our money. It’s sad what you see in the streets of Soweto, young people just wasting away.
Mayor Mashaba thanked the community of Soweto and impressed on them to use of the facility but above all protect it.
