The treatment of drug abuse in Cape Town

Three questions concerning drug use and its treatment in Cape Town are posed in an attempt to guide planning of the treatment system. Firstly, is drug use in Cape Town of a problematic nature and magnitude? An affirmative conclusion is reached here by analysis of relevant local studies but is rendered tentative by inadequacies of the data. Secondly, are the relevant professional medical-psychological treatment facilities able to meet the treatment needs of all drug abusers in Cape Town? Analysis of the treatment system by means of a questionnaire produced a negative conclusion which was necessarily tentative. Thirdly, what directions should future expansion or modification take in order that cost-effectiveness be maximised? Three areas, were investigated by review of the literature - should psychotherapy be included in drug abuse treatment? Can drug abusers be effectively treated alongside other psychiatric patients? Can drug abusers be effectively treated as outpatients? Affirmative conclusions were reached in each case. Suggestions are made for accurate matching of patients to in- or outpatient treatment situations.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Psychology

Year dc:date.issued

1986

Author dc:creator

• Gibson, Fiona Winifred

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Swartz, Leslie

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14567

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/14567