The City-owned Tladi Treatment Centre celebrated it one-year anniversary in style this week.
Community members, NGOs and faith-based organisations came in their numbers on Tuesday, 26 February 2019, to witness the graduation of recovering addicts ranging from three to nine months, having managed to fight the battle of kicking the habit and managing to stay clean.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Health and Social Development in the City of Joburg, Cllr Mpho Phalatse, expressed her excitement at the progress made so far in Tladi and how the community was responding positively to the services rendered at the City’s treatment centres.
“Tladi Substance Abuse Treatment Centre was the first to be rolled out in February and was followed by three more centres in Eldorado Park, Joubert Park and River Park in Alexandra. The City plans to open another substance abuse treatment centre in Westbury and an inpatient facility in Poortjie in Region G, south of Johannesburg,” said MMC Phalatse.
Speaking during the one-year anniversary celebrations, Rosina Masoa, Regional Manager for Social Development, called drug abuse a disease that affects each and every one of us one way or another. She said the treatment centre has had intake of over 221 inpatients, with 107 receiving further assistance.
According to Masoa, 114 patients underwent a detox programme with 50 of them converting to inpatient for further assistance.
“While the programme continue to assist those battling with substances, 42 patients dropped out of the programme. But the good news, out of the hundreds of patients that came to seek assistance, today 16 inpatients are graduating from the programme,” said Masoa.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Bongani Mthembu said it begins with you seeking help rather than thinking you can do this thing on his own. He said drug addicts are very manipulative and they always find their way to get the next fix. Not only is Mthembu determined never again to do drugs, but he has also made it his responsibility to stop the youth from travelling the same dangerous and dark road that almost took his life having failed to commit suicide and tormented everyone around him.
He said he turned over a new leaf when he decided to seek help and credits the staff for the reception he received up on his arrival. He feels that was the turning point for his first step to recovery.
“I’m glad that today I am standing here talking to you, this time last year I didn’t even know or see if (Ilanga liyaphuma okanye liyatshona) its sunrise or sunset, but thanks to the support I got from the centre and they referred me to Ithemba Rehabilitation Centre and I never looked back. Thanks to my parents and the brothers I’ve found through my journey of recovery,” said Mthembu.
He said it’s not too late for his peers to reclaim their purpose in life because everyone in this life has their purpose. Mthembu applauded the tremendous work done by another recovering addict, Mandla Mbatha, at the early recovery programme and addicts united in prayer sessions. He said those sessions encourage each other to stay clean and deal with challenges they face when they go back to community.
