The City of Cape Town’s four Outpatient Alcohol and Drug Treatment sites are running free 16-week substance abuse rehabilitation programmes, based on the Matrix Model. “This is part of our goal to create a Caring City, where all are residents are given support, particularly in times of crisis”, says Mayoral Committee member for Health, Cllr Lungiswa James.

The rehabilitation sites, which are situated at the City’s Tafelsig, Table View, Delft South and Khayelitsha clinics, are open Monday to Friday from 08:00 – 16:30. Any clients aged 18 or older are welcome to attend. Referrals to the centre are generally made by family or friends, colleagues, the media, hospitals or clinics, police and law enforcement agencies, NGOs, churches, and alcohol and drug helplines.

Clients who visit the centre are screened and assessed and then referred to a therapist in order to join the treatment programme. The programme consists of individual or co-joint counselling sessions (including family members), early recovery skills groups, relapse prevention groups, social support groups and family education groups (where family members are given vital information to assist in their understanding of addiction and recovery).

Clients are seen at least three to four times a week and groups are open so anyone can join at any time. Random drug testing is also conducted at the centre.

Once clients have completed the free programme, they have the option of remaining in the programme for as long as necessary. If a client relapses continually, it is recommended that they return to the programme for further evaluation and counselling.

Types of substance abuse can vary and may include addiction to alcohol, dagga, TIK, heroin, cocaine or prescription medication, amongst others. For substances such as heroin, patients will be referred to a detox facility, for example Stikland, as an in-patient.

For more information about the programme, please contact:

• Tafelsig: Warren Burnhams, tel: 021 397 8195/8906/8145
  
• Table View: Abdul Allie, tel: 021 557 1065 or 021 556 7103
  
• Delft South: Natasha Green, tel: 021 955 9229/11/50
  
• Khayelitsha: Monwabisi Mbandazayo, tel: 021 360 4014/4000