The City of Cape Town’s Health Department is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the Matrix® Programme which aims to improve access to a range of evidence-based treatment interventions to minimise the harm caused by drug and alcohol abuse. The celebration included a certificate ceremony for clients who have participated and completed the programme, and also commemorates the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking.
‘We opened our first Matrix® site in Tafelsig a decade ago and this has grown to include six other facilities. From July 2017 to the end of March this year, a total of 1 566 screenings have been performed at the six sites, with the clean drug test rate for clients on the programme at 83%. For the same period, 27 clients who completed the programme received short-term work opportunities. The Matrix® programme is more than just about making substance abuse treatment accessible and affordable to those most vulnerable,’ said the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, and Social Services, Alderman JP Smith.
The service is based within local community health facilities and aims to improve access to a range of evidence-based treatment interventions, particularly for vulnerable people such as youths, people affected and infected by HIV/AIDS, STIs and TB, women (especially pregnant women), people who are unemployed, people with physical disabilities and mental illnesses, the elderly and homeless.
The treatment, which is offered free of charge, is based on methods developed by the Matrix® Institute in the USA.
The goal of the model, which is a 16-week structured programme for adults, is to provide help so that addicts can stop using illicit substances, stay in treatment, learn about addiction and relapse, receive ongoing support from a trained therapist, become involved in self-help programmes and be monitored. Treatment sessions, which involve individual, group and family therapy, are offered three times a week.
There are currently six Matrix® sites: Tafelsig (26 June 2008); Albow Gardens (established in Tableview in 2008 but subsequently moved to Albow Gardens); Delft South (2009); Town 2, Khayelitsha(2012); Parkwood (2013) and Ruimte Road, Manenberg (2015).
The City’s Health Department runs regular awareness campaigns and anyone willing to receive treatment for a substance abuse problem can either call or visit the site closest to them. They will be screened on the same day and will either slot into the programme or be referred to the appropriate service for their particular situation.
‘Drug abuse affects all of us in some way as we all know someone who knows someone who has a loved one with a drug problem. Entire families and communities suffer as drug abuse contributes to crime, child abuse and neglect, family violence and mental and physical health problems,’ said Alderman Smith.
About the City’s Matrix® programme:
- The Tafelsig site was the first certified Matrix® site outside the USA
- The World Health Organisation defines substance abuse dependency as a health issue and placing treatment in health is progressive. The Matrix® institute has stated that what has been done in Cape Town they are now trying to do in the USA
- For the last several years the City Matrix® Sites have seen more patients than any other treatment centre in the Western Cape
- There are several NGO’s in cape Town that run the Matrix® program or parts of the Matrix® program but the City Matrix® sites are the only ones with certification with excellence.
- HIV/AIDS testing happens at all the Matrix® sites
Alderman Smith confirmed that there have always been plans to develop more sites, subject to budget availability.
‘We are hoping to have some good news in the very near future,’ he said.
About 162 certificates were issued at the ceremony to clients who have completed the full programme as well as to those who have completed a part of the programme.
Others who received certificates are clients who graduated in previous years, but continue to show support and visit the programme; and family members that have shown support to their loved ones.
‘We commend these individuals for stepping up and admitting they have a problem. The pressure to continue the abuse is immense. Family involvement and support for the person in recovery remains a challenge, yet we know that clients who have family supporting them in the programme have better outcomes. Often clients have no transport to the sites and we also find an increase in clients struggling with food security,’ said Alderman Smith.
Today, 26 June, is also the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking.
‘It is a reminder that the fight against illicit drugs continues on all fronts and that we all need to play our part if we’re to win this war,’ said Alderman Smith.