Deputy Minister of Social Development Henrietta Bogopane-Zulu has urged communities not to judge substance abuse victims but rather to help them.
Bogopane-Zulu was speaking at the opening of a new drug rehabilitation centre in Randfontein‚ West of Johannesburg‚ which is the largest rehabilitation centre in Gauteng.
She said instead of the community judging those on drugs they should instead educate them about the dangers of substance abuse.
Bogopane- Zulu added that one of the reasons that it took the country so long to deal with HIV/AIDS was the stigma attached to those who suffered from the disease.
“Today marks the International Day Against Drugs Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and this centre with its 900 patients capacity will greatly assist us in dealing with the challenges of treatment in Gauteng especially here in the West Rand and the surrounding areas.
“As part of ensuring that this work is intensified right from the start‚ I have made commitment to take this first group of the recovering drug addicts to join as ambassadors so as they can go with us to spread awareness on the dangers of drug addiction‚” she said.
Don’t judge but help substance abuse victims‚ minister urges at opening of new rehab centre
Deputy Minister of Social Development Henrietta Bogopane-Zulu has urged communities not to judge substance abuse victims but rather to help them.
Bogopane-Zulu was speaking at the opening of a new drug rehabilitation centre in Randfontein‚ West of Johannesburg‚ which is the largest rehabilitation centre in Gauteng.
She said instead of the community judging those on drugs they should instead educate them about the dangers of substance abuse.
Bogopane- Zulu added that one of the reasons that it took the country so long to deal with HIV/AIDS was the stigma attached to those who suffered from the disease.
“Today marks the International Day Against Drugs Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and this centre with its 900 patients capacity will greatly assist us in dealing with the challenges of treatment in Gauteng especially here in the West Rand and the surrounding areas.
“As part of ensuring that this work is intensified right from the start‚ I have made commitment to take this first group of the recovering drug addicts to join as ambassadors so as they can go with us to spread awareness on the dangers of drug addiction‚” she said.
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