More than 5 000 learners participated in the City of Cape Town’s substance-abuse prevention interventions in just nine months, with demand far outstripping what was planned.
The milestone comes as World Drug Day is marked today (26 June), this year’s theme centring on prevention, which is also one of four core focus areas of the City’s Alcohol and Other Drug Strategy.
Demand outstrips planning
The Community, Arts and Culture Development Directorate’s substance-use prevention programme was planned for 3 500 participants across the metropole over a nine-month period. Attendance reached 5 193, with several schools requesting that programmes be extended to include more learners.
Mayco member for Community Services and Health Francine Higham said the figures reflected an urgent community need.
“We cannot ignore the direct link between substance abuse and the violence and crime that plague many of our communities. That is why prevention programmes such as these are so important. They do more than educate young people about dangers of substance use; they also address issues like bullying, peer pressure, self-worth and making good decisions. In several instances, schools asked that the programmes be extended to include more learners, hence the higher attendance. And, while the appetite for these interventions is heartening, it is also indicative of the very real threat that substance use poses in communities.”
The City’s key prevention programmes
The substance use prevention unit runs three key programmes:
Family strengthening programmes
A year ago the family strengthening initiative was expanded to include an intervention specifically for adolescents, called the Sinovuyo Teens programme.
Supporting teens and their families
The nine-week programme targets caregivers of teens aged between 10 and 17, teaching positive parenting strategies and helping teens develop coping skills and family problem-solving skills. It also strengthens family communication and relationships, promotes non-violent discipline and stress management, and draws on community support to create a safe, nurturing home environment.
This year’s World Drug Day focuses on treating people who use drugs with respect and empathy, providing evidence-based and voluntary services, offering alternatives to punishment, prioritising prevention and leading with compassion.
A comprehensive approach
Prevention is one of four key focus areas in the City’s alcohol and other drug (AOD) strategy, aimed at changing the trajectory of substance use within the metropole.
Intervention services are led by City Health through its outpatient Matrix® substance-abuse treatment programme. The City’s Safety and Security Directorate handles suppression through enforcement operations, and the City’s overall efforts are coordinated by its alcohol and drug action committee.
Higham said the City was reviewing its strategy to ensure it kept pace with emerging trends. “If we are serious about making our communities safer, we must invest in prevention interventions. Our approach is comprehensive and designed to support national and provincial government priorities on substance abuse. However, we are now in the early stages of reviewing our existing alcohol and drug strategy, to ensure it remained relevant and responsive to emerging trends and substance-abuse priorities particular to Cape Town.”
Where to get help
The City operates a 24-hour alcohol and drug helpline on 0800 435 748.
Email matrix@capetown.gov.za to reach the City’s Matrix clinics.
Email CTADAC@capetown.gov.za for general information on the City’s substance-abuse programmes.
ALSO READ: City celebrates as 360 participants finish substance abuse programme
You must be logged in to post a comment.