When Eunice Khathutshelo Madinginye from Musina realized that her 55-year-old mother was lying awake at night, worrying and trying to figure out how she was going to deal with her two sisters who were into substance abuse, she knew she had to do something. After careful research done on the topic, she registered a non-profit organisation, called Musina Help Me To Quit, which deals with substance addiction.
Madinginye says substance abuse is becoming a serious concern in Musina. She has rubbed shoulders with at least 30 youths who struggle with addictions but who are prepared to be rehabilitated, if given the chance.
In an attempt to try and get them into a rehab programme, Madinginye approached social workers but was told that for these drug addicts to get admitted to a rehabilitation centre could take up to three months.
Madinginye feels that three months is too long to wait. She says that, when someone with a drug addiction agrees to accept a helping hand, one must act immediately, before they relapse.
Ms Adele van der Linde from the Limpopo Department of Social Development explained the rehabilitation process. "If a person is into substance abuse and indicates that he or she would like to leave that life, it does not necessarily mean they have to be admitted at a rehabilitation centre. The decision to be rehabilitated does not come from the person on drugs or from the family. A social worker has to be approached first, who would then start the process. This process involves a lot of scrutiny, which includes psychological evaluation and recommendations from a doctor to determine whether the person has to be admitted to a centre or not. There is no specific time frame for a person to get admitted at a rehabilitation centre," said van der Linde.
Only one rehabilitation centre exists in the whole of Limpopo, and that is the Seshego Rehabilitation Centre, which was established in 2017. Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, however, the centre had to reduce the number of admissions. This, unfortunately, resulted in a backlog, which means that a waiting list for admission and treatment at the centre exists.
"Despite this backlog, we advise anyone who struggles with substance abuse to get in contact with a social worker, who in turn will recommend the affected individual to SANCA (the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence) for an outpatient programme," van der Linde said.
SANCA has no offices in Musina, but should anyone need to engage with them (SANCA), they can call 015 295 3700.