The City of Cape Town is promoting its comprehensive drug and alcohol strategy by using different means to increase awareness of the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse, and how to seek help to overcome this.

The strategy originated in ‘The City CARES’ (Community Awareness, Rehabilitation and Education Services) programme that was launched in June 2007 to tackle alcohol and drug abuse. The aim of the strategy is to consolidate all current programmes, and to implement and test new programmes in a co-ordinated way that can be measured and monitored.

Information, prevention and treatment services, and a strong law enforcement component are central to the strategy.

According to Executive Deputy Mayor Grant Haskin, who is leading the strategy, "alcohol and drug abuse has reached crisis proportions in the Cape metropole, with devastating effects on the lives of thousands of Capetonians, families, communities and businesses".

More people are now seeking treatment for methamphetamine ('tik') problems than for alcohol, according to the Medical Research Council. Cape Town was also found to have the highest number of heroin users in the country.

The City distributed a pamphlet with its rates notices in January and February, in which it listed numerous warning signs to help recognise drug or alcohol abuse. Asking “Is There A Problem?” the pamphlet also listed statistics on alcohol and drug-related deaths, traumas and arrests, as well as guidelines for alcohol use, including information on how much one can drink before being over the legal blood alcohol limit. To view a copy of the pamphlet, please click here.

The City has also entered into a partnership with local radio station Heart 104.9 FM to publicise the strategy.

“Heart FM is very proud to be involved in the anti drug campaign which has been spearheaded by the Afternoon Drive Show with Clarence Ford. Clarence as well as the other presenters have all in some way being involved or associated with drug addicts and as such feel strongly about providing support for the awareness of Drug Addiction,” said Gavin Meiring, station manager of Heart FM.

“There has been a very good response to the show and we hope to continue helping Cape Town rid itself of this scourge via further support on air,” he added.

The City is in the final stages of developing the first of two booklets for free distribution to Capetonians. The first booklet entitled “HOPE for the Family” will provide much needed information for families and the issues of alcohol and drug abuse.

There are eight registered treatment centres in the greater Cape Town area, including a State-funded facility and three State-subsidised facilities.

The City has also opened the first two of several outpatient treatment centres for alcohol and drugs. The Tafelsig Health Clinic in Kilimanjaro Street, Mitchells Plain opened in August 2008, and Tableview Clinic in South Road, Tableview opened in December 2008. Both clinics are open 08:00-16:00 Monday to Friday. These offer assistance free of charge to residents wanting to overcome their addiction or misuse.

The City plans to treat at least 300 patients per year at each clinic, and reach many more with information on substance abuse.

The strategy uses the Matrix Model® of treatment, which was developed in the USA and stresses the importance of delivering educational information, encouraging family participation, teaching relapse prevention skills and advocating self-help involvement.

The programme entails weekly visits to the outpatient treatment centre for 16 weeks, where there are two trained therapists on duty. It also entails sessions with family members in dealing with the problem.

Assistance is also offered through 12-step support groups, such as the AA or NA.

A 24-hour toll-free alcohol and drug helpline is also in operation. Toll free 24/7 helpline: 0800 HELP 4 U (0800 435 748). The operators are fluent in IsiXhosa, English and Afrikaans.

“The operators are not counsellors - their role is to help contain the caller and then immediately refer them to the most appropriate resource,” says Jaco Groenewald, Head of Operations.

“We know that there are insufficient services - the drug and alcohol problem has grown faster than anyone could have foreseen - but things are happening. All three spheres of government and the private sector are working together and everyone is beginning to speak the same language,” said Haskin.

“The City’s alcohol and drug helpline is aimed at giving the best options to people who are very often desperate. Instead of phoning around different numbers for help, this will be the initial entry point. Not only will the operators give hope to the caller and direct them to the best services, but they will connect them with the 12-Step and other community support groups.

“Hope is an essential ingredient,” says Haskin, “People who are affected by drug and alcohol problems often feel hopeless and helpless. The toll free helpline will offer both help and hope.

• A by-law relating to the regulation of selling alcohol is in its public comment phase. Comments can be sent to liquor@capetown.gov.za before the end of March 2009.