The pilot project at the Tafelsig Matrix® site will be available to youth who are at risk of falling into substance abuse.

The Brief Intervention programme is aimed at adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17, who are using substances, or are at risk of falling into substance abuse.

Brief interventions are short programmes that help people initiate change for unhealthy or risky behaviours like alcohol or drug use.

The pilot programme that will launch at the Tafelsig Matrix site on 1 June 2021, will consist of an orientation session for the adolescent and a caregiver, followed by two sessions with the adolescent and one session with the caregiver. This is then followed up with a wrap up session with the adolescent and caregiver.

The sessions aim to teach the adolescents about triggers and how to cope with them, peer pressure, how to solve problems and setting goals.

For caregivers, the aim is to impart information around setting family rules, how to help reduce the risk of their child developing an alcohol/drug problem, how to talk to their child about substance abuse, and setting goals.

‘Until now, the City’s substance abuse interventions for children and adolescents have focused on prevention, but the reality is that many children are experimenting with substances and falling into risky behaviours at a very young age. This is therefore a very important pilot project, and I urge our communities to fully exploit the service. The more people use it, the better the learnings we will take from the pilot project. And, if there is a real appetite for the service, it could likely become a permanent feature. We will investigate the possibility of rolling out the programme at all of our substance abuse treatment sites, depending on the findings of the pilot project,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.

Participation in the pilot project does not require an appointment. Caregivers and their children can simply present themselves at the Tafelsig Matrix® site at the Tafelsig Clinic on weekdays, between 07:30 and 16:30 or call 021 444 4464 for more information.

The Brief Interventions pilot project forms part of the City’s Alcohol and Other Drugs Strategy.

The City of Cape Town’s strategy has four key aspects:

Prevention through programmes that follow principles of prevention such as Strengthening Families Programme, Essentially-Me and the Simulator programme which raises awareness around Foetal Alcohol Syndrome

Intervention in the form of treatment at our Clinics that offer a matrix model of treatment

Suppression, which includes the enforcement work being done by the Metro Police Gang and Drug Task Team, the Law Enforcement Liquor Unit and our Traffic Service, among others

Coordination, to ensure that there is no duplication of efforts and resources

Some of the interventions in the current financial year (July 2020 – March 2021), have included:

1 519 new clients assisted at the City’s eight Matrix® sites. During this period, clean drug tests for clients in the programme was at 79 percent

After school programmes at 41 sites by the Social Development and Early Childhood Development Department and the Recreation and Parks Department, conducted by 132 practitioners and 10 coordinators

Five Strengthening Families programmes, which looks at improving relationships in households and mitigate the risk of anti-social behaviour

20 simulator programmes, where participants are taught about the impact of Foetal Alcohol Syndrome using simulator dolls

Nine Essentially-Me interventions, which teach children about self-esteem, bullying, how to make good choices, etc.

‘Moving forward, we plan to build on the success achieved thus far, by establishing area specific alcohol and drug action committees, in partnership with our Urban Management Directorate. The aim is to expand on education and awareness in all communities, and by directing the public to the range of services the City offers that directly address substance use and misuse. The City has a 24/7 helpline for anyone needing help with substance abuse, or to report illegal activities. That number is 0800 4357 48,’ added Councillor Badroodien.

Source: City Of Cape Town