Substance abuse among youth has a severe effect on communities and families along with addicts getting younger every year.
Substance abuse is one of the biggest challenges facing the youth of South Africa.
In an effort to save affected teenagers from alcoholism and drug dependence, City of Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba and MMC for Health and Social Development Ntombi Khumalo recently launched the refurbished Golden Harvest In-Patient Treatment Centre.
Based in Randburg in Gauteng, it aims to address alcoholism and drug dependence through the provision of free specialised development, prevention and treatment programmes.
It works in partnership with the City of Joburg and the Gauteng Provincial Government through the Department of Social Development.
The centre was initially opened in 2011 and could accommodate 12 teenage boys between the ages of 13 and 17. In 2014, the city undertook to expand the centre to cater for more children.
The director of the centre, Terrence Makananisa, said the plan was to also extend services to children from as young as 10 because it was found that the younger age group is also affected by drug abuse in the province.
“The construction of the refurbished centre was completed in 2016 and it now has the capacity to accommodate 58 male and female teenagers,” said Makananisa.
Makananisa said the centre admits patients through a referral process from social workers and out-patient facilities in Gauteng. However, he said it does not reject referrals from other provinces.
Out-patient centres and social workers who would like to refer their patients to the centre can
call 011 791 5944 / 011 836 2460 or visit
www.sancacentral.co.za
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