Gauteng Substance Users To Enter Rehab in Heidelberg
The Gauteng Department of Social Development has launched a large-scale rehabilitation admission drive, giving hundreds of substance users across the province a renewed chance at life.
The initiative, taking place in the province’s Southern Corridor, is part of the department’s broader effort to expand access to treatment and tackle the rising challenge of drug addiction in the province.
Acting Premier and MEC for Social Development, Faith Mazibuko, is personally overseeing the implementation of the mass admissions to ensure smooth operations and to demonstrate government’s commitment to supporting those battling substance use disorders.
“We are responding to a call by the Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, who highlighted in the State of the Province Address (SOPA) that substance abuse interventions must be massified,” said Mazibuko. “This admission will be implemented to ensure that people in need of treatment have equal access to treatment services, including under-serviced communities.”
This marks a major milestone in the provincial government’s Ke Moja Fridays campaign, which has been engaging directly with communities plagued by drug abuse.
The mass admissions came after MEC Mazibuko’s outreach in Ratanda on October 2024, where over 40 young people voluntarily came forward to seek help. Many of them are now among those being admitted to rehab facilities this week.
The department has partnered with various state-funded rehabilitation centers, including the Dr. Fabian and Florence Ribeiro Treatment Centre in Pretoria and Freedom Recovery Centre in Nigel, to accommodate the growing number of patients seeking recovery.
The campaign aims to address both voluntary and court-referred cases, ensuring that treatment is not only accessible but also inclusive of those who may have previously lacked the means or knowledge to seek help.
With this initiative, the Gauteng government is affirming its dedication to tackling substance abuse through direct action, community involvement, and sustained support.
The Department of Social Development urges individuals and families in need to reach out and make use of the available support systems.
For more information on how to access rehab services in Gauteng, contact the Gauteng Anti-Substance Abuse hotline at 0800 22 88 27.