Difficult process to force adult children on drugs to get treatment

PARENTS who attempt to book their children into rehab through the courts must know the likelihood of success is minimal.

This was the warning from South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (Sanca) senior social worker Rhiannon Bond who spoke about involuntary drug rehabilitation.

Bond said the centre in East London received calls daily from desperate parents inquiring about the process of ensuring treatment for their children, who were older than 18, through the courts.

“This is a very complex process,” Bond said.

“Our constitution promotes freedom of choice and while parents of younger patients can get them treatment even if they are not willing, it is difficult to get an adult to involuntarily get treatment.

“The first thing to do is collect a portfolio of evidence over three months that will allow the courts to see that this person is a danger to himself and society.”

Bond advised that filing for a protection or harassment order could force the police to come and arrest the family member, which would also count as evidence.

Collecting copies of arrests or case files from police, and storing any aggressive WhatsApp messages and voicemails, as well as affidavits could help with evidence, she said.

The next step was meeting a Sanca social worker who would compile a report to be submitted to the Department of Social Development. The department would then make a recommendation to the magistrate’s court which would make a ruling accordingly.

“While the court would most likely rule that the person get treatment or face imprisonment . . . success is not guaranteed,” Bond said.

“Involuntary patients could complete treatment to simply relapse.”