The City of Cape Town’s health department has opened a Matrix drug and alcohol rehab centre in Scottsdene’s Eoan Avenue.
At the opening ceremony on Wednesday October 30, the City’s Mayco member for community services and health, Dr Zahid Badroodien, said the facility would help those struggling with addiction and those affected by it.
“We’re all affected by drug abuse in one way or another, and entire families and communities feel the ripple effects whether because of domestic violence, child neglect or an increase in crime,” he said.
The treatment at the site is free and is based on methods developed by the Matrix® Institute in America.
Attendees will be screened on their first day and will either slot into a programme or be referred to the appropriate help for their particular situation.
Currently there is a 16-week programme for adults which will help addicts get off drugs, stay in treatment, learn about addiction and relapse, receive ongoing support from a trained therapist, become involved in self-help programmes and be monitored accordingly.
HIV and Aids testing are also available at these sites.
Other sites are in Eersterivier; Tafelsig, Mitchell’s Plain ; Albow Gardens in Table View; Delft South; Town 2, Khayelitsha; Parkwood; and Ruimte Road, Manenberg. These have been established since 2008.