World Drug Day: Registered programmes can change lives

The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, or World Drug Day, is observed on 26 June annually. This year’s theme by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is “The evidence is clear: invest in prevention” which is calling for a scientific evidence-based approach that prioritizes prevention and treatment.

The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) is a sponsored participant in the UNODC’s training session on Substance Use Disorder (SUD) recovery services, taking place in Greece this week.

South Africa’s theme for World Drug Day is “Listening to children and youth is the first step to help them grow healthy and safe against alcohol and drugs”.

On this day we wish to raise awareness about evidence-based prevention programmes provided by the Western Cape Government to mitigate the harm of SUDs.

DSD has allocated R99 million to its Substance Abuse, Prevention and Rehabilitation programme in 2024/2025, funding various services, including:

• 15 community-based organisations (CBOs) render a non-residential community-based treatment programme across 25 sites in the province.
• 14 CBOs with 16 sites providing early intervention services
• 10 Organisations with 14 sites providing Aftercare Services
• 2 organisations in Athlone and Bellville to deliver preventative services in rural areas with a focus on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
• 7 Non-Profit Organisations provide services at identified high risk schools to ensure service availability in schools where brief interventions can be conducted.
• An opiate substitution therapy program in Mitchells Plain and Hanover Park. This is a 3-month long intervention made up of psycho-therapeutic intervention managed by a multi-disciplinary team.
• Substance treatment programmes at six DSD-run Child and Youth Care Centres for children between 12 and 17 years old.
• The Kensington Treatment Centre which was repurposed into a substance abuse treatment centre for youth in January 2024.
• Treatment is provided for children and youth at DSD Child and Youth Care Centres who require it.

It is important to seek help from registered facilities or programmes. As part of a systematic approach to address the illegal provision of services, DSD has been reaching out to several unregistered treatment programmes and facilities to assist them with compliance and registration.

“There are dangers in going to unregistered facilities for the treatment of SUDs. You may be swindled out of your money, or even face abuse. Registered treatment programmes have been vetted by several government organisations such as a municipality, the Department of Health and Wellness, and DSD to provide the client with the necessary levels of care. When a facility or programme is unregistered, DSD cannot offer support, or vouch for the safety or efficacy of the services rendered,” said Western Cape Minister of Social Development, Jaco Londt.

Minister Londt visited Ramot - one of five registered in-patient facilities subsidized by the DSD. Ramot provides in-patient treatment that consists of detoxification and five weeks of therapy. Here, Denver van der Bergh, a former patient shared his story.

Mr Van Der Bergh was addicted to alcohol and drugs for over 20 years before his employer intervened in 2020 and assisted him to go to Ramot for treatment. He has successfully abstained from drugs and alcohol since completing the treatment, has earned a business degree, landed a job in finance, and recently successfully completed his first Comrades Marathon.

“Ramot has walked this journey with me, even after I completed the programme in 2020. They sponsored my Comrades journey. Running has played an integral role in my rehabilitation. To those battling with addiction: there is always hope, it is never too late. Please make that change, you will be so happy, there is so much more to life,” said Mr Van Der Bergh.

“Denver’s story is not only a story of incredible perseverance and hope but is also proof that registered programmes work in turning lives around. We know and trust Ramot’s processes, because they abide by the national and provincial legislations, norms, and standards, which gives peace of mind to clients like Denver – as well as their families,” added Minister Londt.

For more information about DSD’s SUD-related services, please call our toll-free number 0800 220 250 or visit your nearest Department of Social Development local office. You can also visit: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/dept/social-development/services/956