Across the board, the shortage of substance abuse treatment centres is a major challenge in Gauteng. The Life Recovery Centre in Randfontein is the only fully equipped substance abuse treatment centre to serve the whole of the West Rand.
The Life Recovery Centre in Randfontein is the only fully equipped substance abuse treatment centre to serve the whole of the West Rand.
During a visit to the Life Recovery Centre in Randfontein, it was noted that the facility has a waiting list of two to three weeks for the admission of substance abuse patients.
The long waiting list is the result of the unavailability of other suitably equipped substance abuse treatment centres in the area offering treatment free of charge.
Life Recovery is funded by the Gauteng Department of Social Development and can only accommodate 200 in-patients. This means that other patients who are in need of such services have to be added to the waiting list as they cannot afford to pay for private centres.
With the escalation of the substance abuse scourge, increased access to treatment centres must be facilitated before the battle against substance abuse can be won.
After analysing the Randfontein Recovery Centre, the DA believes that the Gauteng Department of Social Development must pursue this formula and partner with the private sector as well as NGO’s in ensuring that these much-needed services are provided in all communities. The systematic involvement of communities in the programs of the Centre was impressive and should be emulated.
The DA has demonstrated its commitment to eradicating drug abuse in Gauteng. We will continue conducting oversight visits in different regions across the Province, to provide the Portfolio Committee and the MEC for Social Development, Nandi Mayathula-Khoza with information on both the challenges and the successes with regard to access to and the functioning of substance abuse treatment centres.