SANCA, City help Riverlea addicts quit drugs
10 June 2016
It is three years now since he kicked the habit. And he has never felt so happy and so fulfilled.
Not only is Earl Koeberg determined never again to do drugs, but he has also made it his responsibility to stop the youth from travelling the same dangerous and dark road that almost took him to the brink of the precipice.
He turned over a new leaf a couple of years ago after he took part in a drug rehabilitation programme run by the South African National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence (SANCA).
Koeberg, who is now an Executive Member of the Riverlea Local Drug Action Committee (LDAC), was one of key participants at an anti-drugs campaign and talent search competition held at the Riverlea Empowerment Centre in the City of Johannesburg’s Region B on Saturday June 4. The LDAC regularly organises sports activities for the youth and identifies talent among them and nurtures it.
“We also host parents’ skills workshops, in which we create awareness of programmes aimed at helping their children to stay off drugs and assist those whose children are already hooked,” said Koeberg.
The City of Johannesburg’s Social Development Department’s Anna Mohajane says the anti-drugs drive and talent search contest in Riverlea were launched about three years ago to raise awareness of the dangers of substance abuse and to engage the youth in constructive activities such as performing arts and sports.
“We conduct regular door-to-door visits and talk to residents about substance abuse and assist addicts by referring them to rehabilitation centres. We also conduct workshops for parents to empower them with knowledge and skills to help them in addressing the problem,” says Mohajane.
She says a number of addicts like Koeberg have successfully kicked the habit after undergoing rehabilitation facilitated by her department and SANCA. Community activist and health worker Colleen Tarr told Saturday’s meeting that the drug and alcohol abuse being experienced in the township needed adults, the youth and local organisations to work together to defeat it. Tarr said the parents of drug and alcohol addicts must lead the campaign to help rehabilitate those affected.
“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 addicts.”
Koeberg said the SANCA rehabilitation programme he underwent included a soft skills course, life orientation information and knowledge.
“We were also encouraged to take part in sporting activities such as soccer and hockey. I now lead a drug-free life and am married and have a nine-month-old baby,” Koeberg said.
But Koeberg is concerned about the lack of enthusiasm among many members of the community in participating in activities such as LDAC’s. This, he reckons, is probably because the committee is a voluntary organisation that does not give financial incentive for participating in its meetings and other activities.
The highlight of Saturday’s event was the dance and song performances by three groups and two soloists.
Three young boys – two aged 10 and the other 13 – wowed the gathering with their street dance, called Kasi Jive. Four teenage girls who call themselves #Selfie showed off their modern dance moves to the delight of the audience, while six other teenage girls were outstanding in their choreographed avante garde performance. Nine-year-old Jerome Jones serenaded the crowd with his solo performance, singing confidently in a voice could easily make him a famous crooner. Denise Williams’s soulful ballade drew loud applause from the appreciative crowd. Representatives of the Department of Home Affairs, South African Social Security Agency and the Emergency Management Services also addressed Saturday's meeting, outlining the services they offered.