TIPS TO HELP YOU STAY OFF ALCOHOL AND DRUGS from The South African Depression and Anxiety Group

· Tell your friends you won’t be drinking alcohol or using drugs. Your true friends will respect your decision and even support you.

· Ask a loved one for help when you are serious about it and ask them to be available when you need them, even in the middle of the night. They can also help you to find a rehab centre in your area and/or attend meetings with you for moral support.

· If you are going through a difficult time and are tempted to use again, don't keep it to yourself — tell a loved one, a friend or a professional.

· Avoid places where there’s likely to be temptation.

· Plan what you’ll do if you are in a situation where alcohol and /or drugs are freely available.

· Don’t worry about how you will manage to stay clean forever — all you have to get through is today.

· Remember that having an addiction doesn't make you bad or weak and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. If you do have a drink or take drugs again, get help as soon as possible so that all the hard work you’ve put into your recovery is not lost. 

Director's Editorial

Director's Editorial

The past couple of months were very busy, both in front and behind the curtain. A very successful fundraising event was held by our “youngsters” who embarked on a project to raise funds for the youth centre. Present at the event were distinguished guests sitting around beautifully laid tables, a very funny master of ceremonies, a well known auctio-neer, guest speaker Juan Smith and a testimony by an ex patient who all contributed to a delightful morning. The event raised a substantial amount of money for the youth centre and we are very grateful for the efforts made by the youngsters in particular and all other staff in general for their assistance.

The AGM was held on 12 June 2013 where one of our ex patients informed the meeting of a miraculous recovery after receiving treatment at 28 treatment centres. Shortly before his admission to the Aurora Centre he was found lying on a pavement and was presumed deceased by ambulance personnel. CCTV footage from a nearby camera showed him being covered and carried to the ambulance. His reaction to the footage is that it is confirmation of being alive! The meeting also noted that the previous financial year was in many respects one to be proud of.

The International Day on 26 June was celebrated by mainly focussing on the printed and electronic media as well as the social media to carry forward the message on substance abuse and illicit trafficking. The theme – “Make health your “new high” in life and not drugs” was received very late, but resounded at many events. I attended a national event held in Kimberley where the Minister of Social Development was the main speaker. A similar event was held for the Free State in Bethlehem.

During April 2013 a Site Verification Team from the Department of Social Development visited the Aurora Centre to determine the Centre’s suitability to implement diversion programmes. We were informed that a recommendation was made that both the service provider and the programme be granted full accreditation for a period of 4 years.

In conclusion we want to congratulate Santie Froneman with 30 years of service at the Centre. This is the second longest period anybody has been in the employ of the Aurora Centre! Thank you Santie!

G.H.J. Kruger

Director