Ensuring that your loved ones are placed in a registered substance use disorder (SUD) treatment facility can make all the difference in getting their lives back on track.
In this regard, we encourage all members of the public to make contact with the provincial Department of Social Development (DSD), to check on the registration status of the facility or organisation, offering any SUD programme.
It is understandable why family and community members would send their loved ones that have addiction problems to an unregistered substance use disorder (SUD) treatment facility or programme.
However, the absence of a registration certificate usually indicates that the facility in question is non – compliant with the required Governmental norms standards.
“We recommended that members of the public try and find a suitable registered treatment facility. Under the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act, all registered facilities are required to possess a registration certificate, which must be visibly displayed in an area where clients can see it. If not displayed, families can request that proof of registration is provided before the admission process is started,” said Western Cape Minister of Social Development, Sharna Fernandez.
The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) holds a database of all registered Substance Abuse treatment options in the province.
This helps to ensure that the patients attending these centres will be treated with respect and that their human rights are protected.
There are currently 101 registered service providers on the provincial database that can be broken down as follows:
- Inpatient Treatment 29
- Halfway Houses 3
- Community-Based treatment Services 69
Over the last three financial years, a total number of 36 facilities were reported to the Department regarding concerns over non-compliance.
The provincial Department of Social Development (DSD) with the support of its Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) partners provides a wide array of substance use disorder (SUD) programmes, ranging from prevention, early intervention, through to outpatient and in-patient rehab and aftercare services.
All programs funded by the Department of Social Development are registered in accordance with the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act, Act 70 of 2008.
Services offered by the Department and its NPO partners include, amongst others:
- Awareness, primary prevention, early intervention, aftercare services;
- Specialized services for victims of gender-based violence. Female service users can also be admitted with their minor children for the duration of their treatment.
- Specialized treatment for adolescent boys between 13 and 17 years of age, at two funded inpatient treatment centres;
- Residential or Inpatient Treatment centres and non-residential outpatient (also known as community-based) treatment centres for adults;
- Reintegration and after-care support;
- School-based programs at identified high-risk schools aimed at early detection and appropriate interventions for children involved in substance abuse.
What can communities do to cope with substance abuse in the area:
We urge all community members to report drug dealers selling illegal substances to the local police station. Furthermore, they can support and encourage addicted loved ones to go for help at a registered inpatient facility or community-based organisation. The Department of Social Development has a full directory of all registered and funded organisations.
Faith-based organisations play an important role as well as the City of Cape Town via matrix programmes. Schools and health facilities can also be utilised as a point of referrals.
Lastly, we ask all members of the public to not support unregistered facilities and report them to the Department of Social Development.
For more information about our services, please refer to the Western Cape DSD’s website using the URL provided below or by calling the Western Cape Department of Social Development toll-free: 0800 220 250.
https://www.westerncape.gov.za/dept/social-development.
