BOSASNet aims to combat drug and alcohol abuse

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Thursday April 21, 2011 00:00

The Botswana Substance Abuse Support Network (BOSASNet), which is a  non-governmental organisation (NGO) - has taken on this responsibility. 

Formed in 2008, BOSASNet's mission is to provide substance abuse education, prevention and rehabilitation services.  The organisation operates an outpatient counselling rehabilitation centre in Gaborone, which provides specialised counselling to individuals and families dealing with issues related to substance abuse and dependency. 

The services that the organisation offers include presentations and workshops for schools and other organisations on substance use, abuse and dependency.  BOSASNet is also engaged in dissemination of information on substance use, abuse and dependency.

It also provides counselling services to families of individuals who are affected by substance abuse. The NGO is also involved in training of qualified individuals in organisations to carry out substance abuse screening and assessment.

BOSASNet representative Felicity Hunter said in Gaborone yesterday that they received money from the Alcohol Levy to kick-start their operations last year. She said the cost of their treatment is done on a sliding scale.  'It is affordable to everyone.  The minimum rate is between P3 and P5,' she said.

Hunter said they are not only able to treat individuals but also give support to families.  Since BOSASNet is a new organisation, Hunter said they have been making efforts to market themselves. She said they have been actively engaged in a public awareness campaign. 

The NGO official said they use both private and public radio stations for their public awareness campaign. She spoke about their weekly slots on both YaRona FM and Duma FM. They have also been using newspapers to wage their campaign.  There is a regular feature in The Voice newspaper about BOSASNet.

BOSASNet has also been advertising themselves on billboards.Hunter said they are also planning to launch an outreach programme. 'We would like to go to schools around the country,' she said, adding that they want to make June a substance abuse free month. She said BOSASNet will also be launched during this period. 

Karabo Rantwa, a counsellor at BOSASNEt, said they also train counsellors.  The training takes about three months. Speaking about their services, he said the organisation provides outpatient rehabilitation services. 'We have about 18 patients that we see.  If you want to come for counselling, you can call us and make an appointment.'

He said a lot of cases they have been dealing with involve alcohol and drug abuse. They have also recorded some remarkable achievements. As far as Rantwa is concerned, substance or alcohol dependency has reached critical levels, which was why it was necessary to come up with such an organisation.

Rantwa said at the moment they are unable to see all the clients who need their services.  'At the moment we are not able to see all the clients due to financial constraints.'  He said they are appealing for donations for the centre.

He revealed that currently they are only operating in Gaborone but intend to open branches in other places and set up in-patient counselling facilities. Asked about the profiles of people that they are dealing with, Rantwa said substance abuse has no prejudice, gender or age.  Even the economic or social background does not matter.  'We see everyone but for those under 18, we need parental consent,' he said. As part of their public education campaign, Rantwa said they are compiling a documentary.