The Welkom branch of Sanca is situated in Long Road. Photo: Supplied


The South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (Sanca) is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) whose major objectives are the prevention and treatment of alcohol and other drug dependence.

Sanca defines treatment as “the provision of specialised social, psychological, and medical services to service users and to persons affected by substance abuse with a view to addressing the social and health consequences associated therewith”.

Drug Awareness Week is from 24-28 June.

Sanca has recognised that to deal most effectively with the highly complex issue of substance use disorder and its treatment, it is necessary to provide a basket of services.

These must take into consideration the target group (for example, dagga users), the stage of dependency, the type of substances used or abused, co-occurring disorders, and the unique needs and circumstances of each service user.

Such a basket of services should include, but may not be limited to:

  • community-based treatment;
  • out-patient treatment;
  • in-patient treatment for adults;
  • in-patient treatment for young people under the age of 18 years;) gender-specific treatment for women and girls;
  • aftercare;
  • family involvement in all phases of treatment;
  • family support groups; and
  • involvement in self-help groups

Sanca’s structured, integrated treatment programmes incorporate various modalities including group therapy, individual therapy, family and couples therapy, art and music therapy, smoking cessation, occupational therapy, and didactic input.

The medical and physiological aspects of addiction and related conditions form part of the didactic module of the treatment programme.?

Sanca’s treatment programmes comply with the current legislative mandates and policies in South Africa.

Both inpatient and outpatient treatment programmes are based on the minimum norms and standards as stipulated by the national Department of Social Development to ensure quality service delivery to all clients.

Sanca National has an internal monitoring system to assure quality of service and accreditation of standardisation.

For more information, visit the Sanca–Goldfields Alcohol and Drug Centre at 222 Long Road, Bedelia, or phone Anne-marie van Wyk on 057-352-5444.

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