The City Of Joburg Steps Up Fight Against Alcoholism And Substance Abuse.


By Phumzile Mavimbela

 The Member of the Mayoral Committee responsible for Health and Social Development in the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Eunice Mgcina, officially launched an awareness campaign on alcoholism in Ivory Park, north of Joburg.

Accompanied by City officials, Ward councillor Cllr Spiwe Makamo, NGOs, and faith-based organisations, MMC Mgcina said she was encouraged to see Ward 79 residents, who came in numbers to listen for themselves as the City engaged communities on addictions, which are slowly destroying the future of the country.

“We are bringing this campaign to Ivory Park against the backdrop of the commemoration of World Foetal Alcoholic Day, which was observed just last week on 9 September.

“We are also going to be taking this campaign to all our communities throughout the city in all regions to create awareness and to educate residents about the dangers of alcoholism, narcotics and other substances with a view to saving lives,” said MMC Mgcina

She urged residents to use of the City’s 24-hour Substance Abuse and Gender-Based Violence Crisis Line for help on 0800 223 217.
Rosina Masoa, the Director: Social Benefits in the Social Development department, called alcoholism a disease. She also shared the research findings that showed prevalence of alcohol usage in Region A being the highest in the City of Joburg at 37.1% Mandla Mbatha from Tranquility Clinic and Reality Show “Uyaphuza”, who is a recovering user, urged the community to be patient and treat users with care and not call them names like “bo nyaope” (addicts). He said it really killed their hope of ever recovering and being welcomed back in the community as they get to be blamed for every wrongdoing in the community, while they are trying their best to kick the habit.

“Adults must become role models and encourage the addicts to stop abusing drugs and alcohol. We should all get involved and work with organisations such as Sanca, the City of Joburg’s Social Development Department, the police, faith-based bodies and local structures in finding ways to help the users. We are patients like any other, we just need help and be treated like any other patient who needs help, not to me called names,” he concluded.

Ouma Phakwago-Mashala, a representative from Gauteng Liquor Board, said they have implemented strict regulations for issuing of liquor licences to curb the abuse of alcohol in the communities.  

“We want to warn those who sell alcohol to under-age kids and visible pregnant women that when we find them and they will face the full might of the law. We will revoke their licences and blacklist them.”

MMC Mgcina and her team then visited Thuthukani Treatment Centre, which is community-based treatment centre operating within the primary health care clinic premises. It is one of the six established to promote access to treatment services within communities.

Its services include medical assessments, screening, social work therapeutic services for user and their families, aftercare services aimed at managing addiction and relapse as well as integration into community life. 

Article Tags

City Of Joburg

Social Development department

Cancel

    Most Read