The City of Johannesburg has launched the Davidsonville Substance Abuse Treatment Centre in its efforts to reduce the increasing scourge of substance abuse.
The new centre forms part of the existing primary health clinic, the Davidsonville Primary Healthcare Clinic. It was established in response to the threat of substance abuse within the City of Joburg. Though residents have a constitutional right to have access to healthcare services, substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation is always delayed as a result of exorbitant associated costs, inaccessibility of services within a manageable radius and the lack of support to users by their families and community at large.
The centre, which opened on Friday, 16 September 2022, will provide community-based services for people who abuse or are dependent on substances, and to persons affected by substance abuse while remaining within their families and communities.
The Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Health and Social Development in the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Ashley Sauls I, said that a starting point for the success of any new facility is self-retrospection.
“We need to ask ourselves who is responsible for what is going on in our communities in relation to substance abuse? Who is responsible for bringing about transformation and change? Is it the staff who will be working at this centre? Is it the staff who work in the clinics? Is it the mayor? Oftentimes we point to others but I want to let you know that we ourselves are responsible and as a community we have the ability to render change,” he said.
The Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Mpho Phalatse, expressed her passion for projects such as the launch of the treatment centre and the impact it can have on the lives of those who are directly and indirectly affected by substance abuse.
“We have come a long way in the City with the fight against substance abuse. This is an opportunity and a solution for those who are not able to afford private rehabilitation. We understand that most rehab centres are at full capacity and we are glad that we are implementing outpatient facilities that can assist in helping people who struggle with substance abuse,” said Cllr Phalatse.
Ellery Booth from Davidsonville Synergistic Covenant Network Skills Development Centre said: “I am extremely proud and excited to be part of such a remarkable and well-needed initiative. We are going to need help from families and the community at large to ensure this establishment will be a success.
“The real work starts when the person is undergoing treatment and will need all our support and guidance to re-enter the community once they are rehabilitated. We all play a pivotal role and the battle against substance abuse is real. We have to fight this war together and if we do, the war will be won in order to become a drug free society,” Booth added.
The establishment of the centre is in line with Chapter 5 of The Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act No. 70 of 2008, Sec 13 (1), which advocates for establishment of community-based services with special emphasis on under-serviced areas.
Regional Director Mlamleli Belot gave the vote of thanks. “The City has done something huge for Davidsonville. Hope restores dignity and I’m glad that has happened here today with the launch of the centre.”
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