Services for our Communities

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SERVICES TO PEOPLE WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEMS

The primary aim of the sub-programme is to provide comprehensive services in respect of persons with substance abuse problems and their families through both in-patient and out-patient treatment. Services relating to substance abuse are guided by the National Drug Master Plan and two training sessions on this plan were held in March 2004 where 122 social workers from both the Department and the NGO sector were trained.

The Department runs two state rehabilitation centres which take both voluntary patients and those committed by the courts in terms of the Act on Dependence Producing Substances. These are Newlands Park Centre in Durban and the Madadeni Centre near Newcastle.

Newlands Park has a capacity of 75 and offers treatment to both men and women. The highest admissions are in the 22 to 35 years age category.

Madadeni Centre received funding from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in order to extend their programme for youth and to increase their community outreach programme. Awareness and prevention programmes were conducted at schools, prisons, churches and youth organisations during 2003/4 and reached 56 947 people. Young patients at the Centre were trained in carpentry, dressmaking and metalwork and a library and computer centre were established. A multi-purpose sports facility has also been developed at the Centre.

The Department also runs a rehabilitation unit at the Newcastle School of Industries which presently only admits boys from the school. Twenty-three boys were admitted to this unit during the year under review.

KZN Department of Social Welfare

Services for our Communities