Making strides in fighting drug abuse
THE Western Cape Department of Social Development continues to be at the forefront of the fight against substance abuse, focusing on rendering early intervention, in-patient treatment, community-based treatment, and aftercare services.
The budget for the substance abuse programme for the 2019/20 financial year is R66518000 while a further R43 million for two residential drug treatment centres and drug treatment in its secure-care child and youth care centres is allocated by the Directorate for Facilities.
The department funds six NGOrun in-patient treatment facilities, 13 community-based treatment NGOs which render treatment across 30 sites, 21 NGOs which render early intervention services from 29 sites and 10 NGOs which render aftercare services across 16 sites.
Over the past five years, specialised school-based programmes were introduced in 10 high risk schools to ensure early detection as well as learner and educator support.
The department also expanded early intervention services by subsidising and increasing the number of social work posts it funds at various organisations and community-based treatment sites, especially in the Beaufort West, Ceres and Worcester areas.
In the 2018/2019 reporting period, we have verified that 666 service users received in-patient treatment, 3 337 received community-based treatment, 4697 received early intervention services, 1833 aftercare services and 4456 members of the public received awareness and prevention services.
Drug-related crime data for the Western Cape indicates an increase from 52742 cases in 2009 to 117157 cases in 2018. A total of 12 776 cases of driving under the influence of alcohol were recorded for 2018.
We have specifically targeted treating young people, in order to address the rising tide of youth alcohol and drug usage.
The department recognises that substance abuse is a specialist service and has ensured that bursaries exist for postgraduate specialist training at the UCT and the University of Stellenbosch.
UWC also provides an undergraduate certificate course for non-professional recovery assistants currently working at treatment centres.
The department has focused on ensuring that treatment options comply to national norms and standards and interventions to register treatment options have made good progress.
We are continuously working to expand the reach and quality of our substance abuse treatment and intervention services, although budget availability has become a barrier.
The department utilises statistical information on people with substance use disorders accessing treatment to assist in determining patterns of prevalence and demand in the province.
This analysis, conducted by the Medical Research Council, is known as the South African Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (Sacendu). Prevalence is extrapolated from Annual SAPS Crime Statistics.
According to the data of the latest Sacendu report (January-June 2018), 3 182 people accessed treatment in the Western Cape across 35 specialist treatment centres. More males access treatment then females, 72% and 28% of patient population, respectively.
Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance, followed by cannabis and methamphetamine.
The department also funds 50 facilities and organisations to provide early intervention and reintegration in the Western Cape.
Our services are here to help the public, not judge those who are suffering from substance abuse.
Anybody needing more information or assistance can contact us on the www.heretohelp.co.za website, or the department’s hotline 0800220250.