Minister of Social Development
With reference to support provided to school-based programmes in communities vulnerable to substance abuse:
- What are the details of these programmes in terms of (i) their objectives, (ii) their allocated resources and (iii) the support provided to residents, (b) what are the details of partnerships with other stakeholders, (c) how many individuals were beneficiaries of these programmes in the (i) 2020/21 financial year and (ii) 2021/22 financial year to date and (d)(i) how many such programmes are currently operational and (ii) where is each located?
(a)(i) The Department funds five organisations that render early intervention programmes at schools (providing a substance abuse service prior the onset of dependence), as well as community-based services (providing a structured non-residential treatment service).
The early intervention programmes include the screening and assessment of learners and developing an intervention plan, providing information and support services. Early intervention programmes ensure service availability in schools where brief interventions can be conducted. The community-based services are rendered to service users who are in active substance abuse and to equip them with knowledge and skills to maintain sobriety. Services are executed in individual therapeutic interventions, group work and family interventions.
(a)(ii)The Department of Social Development subsidizes social worker and social auxiliary worker posts for early intervention and allocates a unit cost for the community-based programs that is rendered by these organisations.
The total amount that is allocated to the school-based programmes is
R6 369 105.
(a)(iii)Learners are screened for the severity of substance use, assessed by a professional staff member and an individual treatment plan is developed. Focus areas of the treatment plan in the initial stages are on early recovery skills, and a later focus is on relapse prevention strategies. Throughout the intervention guidance on basic life skills is provided to learners.
- The school-based organisations are established and have relationships with various stakeholders. Partnerships are established with local clinics, churches, and businesses within the community. Memorandum of Understandings are signed with the Western Cape Education Department, Department of Health for medical assessments as well as psychiatric services. Professionals from the University of Stellenbosch are rendering services to service users who have suffered trauma. In the event of child protection services being required (statutory services), service users are referred to designated child protection organisations such as BADISA. A referral pathway is in place to ensure a comprehensive service is available to learners.
(c)(i) During 2020/2021 Three-hundred and thirty-three (331) learners were involved in Community Based Services and Five-hundred and thirty-five (535) learners in the Early Intervention Programme. Participation rates were reduced somewhat due to COVID related closures of schools and lockdown periods.
(c)(ii)To date for the 2021/2022 financial year two hundred and eighty-three (283) learners were involved in Community Based Services and four hundred and twelve (412) learners in the Early Intervention Programme.
(d)(i) Five (5) Non-Profit Organisations are currently rendering school-based programmes.
(d)(ii)The areas of operation are Retreat, Grassy Park, Lavender Hill, Wesbank, Kuils River, Elsies River and surroundings, Eerste River, Somerset West, Macassar, Kraaifontein, Stellenbosch, Ocean View, Mitchells Plain, Hanover Park, Manenberg and Steenberg.
