REACH- Dr Bayever

REACH were privileged recently when Dr David Bayever, Deputy Chairperson of the Central Drug Authority, gave a presentation at the REACH meeting at Streams Fellowship in Benoni on Sunday 9 May 2010.

Dr David Bayever detailed the stats for the years 2008 and 2009, emphasising that these were only reported cases and that, in reality, the figures were more than likely to be far higher.  South Africa’s statistics are much greater than the world average with drug usage being twice the world norm in most cases. The increase of drug use in the S.A. population is increasing. The age that children start experimenting is now 12 years old and reducing. An estimate 15% of the S.A. population abuse drugs.

Dr David Bayever also exposed the myth about cannabis (dagga) being a soft drug. Dagga users have a high risk of triggering psychosis and causing irreparable brain damage. The effects of substance abuse leads to physical and mental health problems, learning problems, accidents and injuries, risky sexual behaviour with increased risk of HIV aids, criminal behaviour and ultimately leads to death.

When questioned about people going into schools to educate our children about drugs, we were disappointed to learn that in the majority of schools this issue is dealt with by one of the teachers in the school and they did not need the services of an expert.  School children need to be educated by someone who is highly knowledgeable, can answer questions and knows exactly what they’re talking about.

It was definitely worthwhile attending this presentation and to hear first-hand just how bad the S.A.drug situation really is.

Dr. Bayever

Is doing drugs worth going to jail?

PCN attended a session at REACH on Sunday 25 July 2010, where their guest speaker was Boksburg Senior State Prosecutor, Adv. Henk Strydom.

Did you know that you could be sentenced to up to 15 years for being in possession of drugs?  Is it really worth it?

It was interesting to learn that “possession” does not just mean that you have drugs in your pocket or handbag.  If you are tested and it comes back “positive” for drugs in your system, this is also considered as “possession”.

Henk Strydom is very much involved in the Court Diversion Program, where offenders can be given the opportunity to redeem themselves by attending the REACH program, for a period of one year.

When you appear in Court after being arrested for possession of drugs, your case is considered on its own merits and on the circumstances. It is not automatic.  You have to be prepared to take responsibility for your own actions and you must want to participate in the drug diversion program.  

Each person has to undergo an interview with the State Prosecutor, at which you would have to convince him that you deserve to be given a chance to be diverted to the program.

If you are given the opportunity to be part of this diversion program, the court will postpone your case for four weeks, during which time you would attend REACH. 

At your first session with REACH you would be asked to sign an undertaking to comply with the program, be subjected to regular drug tests, and attend all sessions prescribed for you.  

REACH will provide the Court with a report on your conduct and if this report is a good one, the charges will be provisionally withdrawn.  However, you would still have a further eleven months to go.

If after twelve months you have completed the program, then the case will be withdrawn and you will not be prosecuted.  However, if you are tested and found to be “positive” within that twelve month period, you can still be prosecuted.

Empowered Seminar 22nd and 23rd May 2009

This seminar was hosted by Pastors Murray and Michelle from Face-to-Face church in Jeffrey’s Bay. This seminar was an overwhelming success. Murray and Michelle worked very hard in doing all the preparation for the seminar. We were thoroughly blessed by their warm hospitality and generosity. They are committed to their community and desire to see people’s lives transformed by the love of God.

Many delegates travelled over 700kms from Cape Town. Others came from Mossel Bay, Hanover, Port Elizabeth, Jeffrey’s Bay and neighbouring towns. Delegates consisted of pastors, youth workers, counsellors, police training officers, parents and spouses of addicts, addicts in recovery and some trying to recover.

What ever their reasons for attending, one thing is certain, people want to learn more about preventing addiction and want to assist those in addiction and their families.

Delegates participated in the small groups with great enthusiasm. Feedback from participants showed that all had enjoyed the seminar and had received valuable insights.

Pastor Kennith and Janine from REACH in Boksburg accompanied us as part of our team. Kennith was able share what REACH is doing for addicts and their families and encouraged churches to start Celebrate Recovery Support Groups in their churches. Kennith has been running Celebrate Recovery from Saddleback, USA for over 3 years and is willing to assist any church who wants to run this program.

The people from Jeffrey’s Bay are serious about tackling the problems and issues that face their community. Thank you for inviting us. Well done J-Bay!

Jeffrey’s Bay Seminar

(permission to take the photo was granted by all)