"Stuck in limbo?" : an unregistered community organisation and treatment provision for substance abuse disorders : a case study in Michells Plain

This study is an examination of the structures and functions of an unregistered faith-based substance abuse treatment facility, the Recovery Home, run by a Church in Mitchells Plain, a historically disadvantaged community (HDC) in the Western Cape. In addition, the challenges that the Organisation faces in meeting the policy requirements set by the Department of Social Development (DoSD) to obtain accreditation by subscribing to evidence-based practices for an in-patient treatment centre are the main issues upon which this research is structured. Information was collected, through a qualitative case study approach. Methods used were the in-depth interview, observation, documentary research relevant to the registration process and a confidential journal exercise conducted with people being treated in the Recovery Home. A lack of resources and evidence-based practices prevents the Recovery Home from providing adequate treatment services. The Organisation is unable to register as it does not meet the minimum norms and standards set by the Department of Social Development (DoSD) to acquire accreditation. It has been suggested by the relevant authorities that the Organisation fits the description of a half way house. However, no official policy for the registration of such insitutions currently exists in South Africa. The Home's definition of the causes of substance use disorders (SUDs) is inadequate in that it is limited to environmental factors, most particularly the unfavourable socio-economic conditions that prevail in the community. The Organisation is providing a valuable service in a community where the state lacks effective intervention capacity. As it is unable to register, however, it remains limited in what it is able to achieve.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Social Development

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Bunkell, Philippa

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/11866

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/11866