10-year bash for rehab centre
HELPING HAND: Choice Drug Counselling Services clients HELPING HAND: Choice Drug Counselling Services clients
Choice Drug Counselling Services have reached their 10-year milestone and will be celebrating with a lekker bash this weekend.
When owner Rif’at Browers opened the rehabilitation centre in Athlone a decade ago, he had only two clients, three bedrooms, and limited experience.
Now, the facility has six full-time staff members, 11 service providers and accommodates 24 patients at a time.
Rif’at says they hope to expand even more in 2019, and plans include a Prisoner Reintegration Programme, helping those who sukkel in mainstream school due to substance abuse, as well as a stand-alone female and youth facility and rehabilitation service.
“Over the last 10 years, we’ve done 500 substance abuse-related criminal justice diversions with which we proudly state a 100% success rate,” he says.
Rehab client Barry Gallant, 37, joined in 2016 while addicted to tik, cocaine and mandrax.
“I was a broken man when I walked into this place, I was banned from seeing my daughter and ripped apart my family because of my addiction,” he says.
“Two years later, I’m fully recovered and working at a pharmacy fulltime and I also get to see my daughter, all thanks to Choice rehab centre.”
Robin Kellerman, 30, from Heideveld was arrested for assault before joining Choice.
“My addiction made me become violent and I attacked my mother to the point where police arrested me and I appeared in court, but the psychiatrist advised I join Choice and I have been on the road to recovery since June this year.”
On Saturday at Garlandale High School hall, there will be an award ceremony and variety show, featuring Vezz, Josh Daniels, Mujahid George, Shadley Shroeder and more.
Entry is R130 and doors open at 7.30pm.