Tongaat's wellness centre supports the healing of addiction

Originally published on 20 July 2020

In Tongaat, the Serenity Wellness and Transformation Centre is helping people overcome drug and alcohol addiction. The non-profit organisation offers rehabilitation, skills training and a supportive community to those trying to recover.

What was the problem?

Drug and alcohol addiction is a serious problem in Tongaat and nearby areas. Alcohol, heroin and woonga are highly addictive, making it hard for people to recover. Addiction often leads to loneliness, unemployment and despair, creating a need for better support services.

How did they fix it?

Led by addiction counsellor Leighash Govender and a dedicated team, Serenity Wellness and Transformation Centre provides rehabilitation programmes, skills training and awareness campaigns. Their goal is to help people rebuild their lives and create a drug-free community.

So, how did they do it?

• Rehabilitation services offer support: Since starting in 2020, the centre has helped 18 people recover from addiction. It provides a safe space for individuals to begin their journey to recovery.

• Skills training builds independence: The centre helps recovering drug users gain work experience in areas like mechanics, telesales and merchandising. This helps them rejoin society as respected members and move past the stigma of addiction.

• Sharing stories raises awareness: The centre runs a Speaker Jam Programme where recovering users share their experiences. These events aim to stop others from falling into addiction and help the community understand the struggles of recovery.

• Tackling family violence: Director Arlene Cairncross works to reduce family violence and support those still struggling with addiction. She believes the centre is key to addressing the root causes of addiction and its impact on families.

• Expanding facilities to help more people: The centre is renovating a donated building outside Tongaat to house 80 clients and staff. This will allow them to support more people who need help with addiction.

Acknowledgements

Author: Tabloid Newspapers

Original article: Striving For A Drug-Free Community

Photograph: Tabloid Newspapers

Get your community involved

Is there a community-driven group or caring business in your area? A dedicated group of committed people can effectively solve local problems.

Think about starting or joining community groups like a street WhatsApp group, residents' association, or community policing forum (CPF) to get help and to stay informed and involved in local issues.

How to set up a community group

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How to start a residents' association

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It’s important to understand how your local government works so that you can work with them to support what they are doing while your community continues to keep them accountable and deliver services on time. Remember you have a constitutional right to many of the services provided by local government, as well as to accountability and transparency, wherever you live and regardless of how much you earn. It is also where money collected from taxes and rates goes.