[Regulations 8 and 13]
| 1. | Accessibility and availability of programme |
A service provider must –
| (a) | with the assistance of the Department or the Department of Health ensure that there is a mental health practitioner or social auxiliary worker dedicated to provide prevention services in the community where the programme is conducted; |
| (b) | avail itself of a resource directory; |
| (c) | in the absence of a social worker in the community be able to refer a child or service user to a professional for assistance; |
| (d) | provide for the establishment of support structures to assist the professionals referred to in paragraph (a); |
| (e) | advertise clearly where centres which conduct prevention programmes are situated; and |
| (f) | limit the cost of programmes by ensuring that it is conducted at a centre in close proximity to the community being served. |
A programme must —
| (a) | benefit all persons and families; |
| (b) | be structured in accordance with approved prevention models; and |
| 3. | Prevention of experimental use of substances |
A programme must —
| (a) | create awareness on the dangers and effects of substance abuse; |
| (b) | educate and provide information to individuals and families; |
| (c) | equip individuals and families with life skills to promote resilience; and |
| (d) | provide parents, teachers and care givers with skills to identify early warning signs of substance experimentation to ensure early intervention. |
| 4. | Assessment of prevalence of substance abuse |
Any service provider who conducts an assessment must—
| (a) | determine the needs of the community where public education and awareness should be conducted; |
| (b) | develop a community profile within the community being served indicating the— |
| (i) | geographical location and geographic spread of schools; |
| (iii) | resources available to the family; and |
| (iv) | extent of substance abuse problem. |
| (c) | have the appropriate training and competencies to conduct assessments; |
| (d) | conduct assessment on at least twice a year; |
| (e) | conduct an assessment in response to any well founded complaint or report to the Department; |
| (f) | ensure that assessment is strength based, holistic and appropriate to the cultural context of the programme; |
| (g) | ensure maximum participation by the community in the assessment process; |
| (h) | promote the safety and well-being of all persons in the community being assessed; |
| (i) | ensure that prevention programmes promote positive social values; |
| (j) | enhance protective factors and must focus on reducing risk factors; |
| (k) | target all forms of substance abuse irrespective of whether such substances are recognised in law or not; |
| (l) | address specific substance abuse problems in the community being served; and |
| (m) | refrain from using fear tactics. |
| 5. | Recording of information |
All information gathered during an assessment contemplated in paragraph (f) must be—
| (b) | treated with confidentiality; |
| (c) | kept in a safe or lockable cabinet; and |
| (d) | must be furnished to the District office on quarterly basis and to the HOD when requested by the HOD. |
| 6. | Education regarding the dangers of the abuse of substances |
A service provider educating the public regarding the dangers of substance abuse must—
| (a) | provide the public with information on substance abuse, its impact and available treatment options and available resources; |
| (b) | equip the public with knowledge and information relating to the effects and the impact of substance abuse through— |
| (i) | awareness raising campaigns; |
| (ii) | information sessions; |
| (iii) | brochures, flyers and posters; and |
| (c) | educate the individuals, families and communities about responsible use of legal substances; |
| (d) | inform individuals, families and communities about risks of substance abuse; |
| (e) | raise awareness together with other relevant stakeholders about substance abuse and associated physical and mental health problems as well as social problems; |
| (f) | address sexual risk behaviour among prevention programme participants in order to reduce the risk of contracting transmittable diseases; |
| (g) | ensure that health promotion activities involve and target all vulnerable groups and increase their capacity; and |
| (h) | improve parenting skills throughout families at risk. |
| 7. | Capacity building programmes |
A service provider who conducts capacity building programmes must—
| (a) | plan the programme together with the community based on identified needs; |
| (b) | equip the community with life skills to deal with challenges related to substance abuse through forums which include— |
| (c) | provide support and guidance to community initiatives aimed at addressing substance abuse problems; |
| (d) | link communities with local and external resources; and |
| (e) | facilitate establishment of community-based forums to manage community projects on substance abuse. |
| 8. | Promotion of healthy lifestyles |
A service provider who conducts programmes promoting a healthy lifestyle must—
| (a) | identify local recreational facilities and link communities being served to them; |
| (b) | facilitate and coordinate services and prevention programmes aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles with relevant Departments through establishment of community structures; encourage the communities to participate in— |
| (iii) | cultural activities; and |
| (c) | promote healthy eating habits and safe sex practices. |
| 9. | Identification of groups and communities |
A service provider, when identifying groups and communities, must take the following factors into account:
| (k) | physical and mental health. |
| 10. | Promotion of abstinence from substance abuse |
A service provider must—
| (a) | provide alternatives that are aimed at diverting the attention of substance users and potential substance users; |
| (b) | advocate that substances, such as medication, are used only for medical reasons; and |
| (c) | provide support to individuals and families to avoid the use of substances. |
