Sunrise Rehabilitation Centre set to aid fight against drug addiction

MOSA MAOENG

MASERU – In the growing battle against drug addiction in Lesotho, the Sunrise Rehabilitation Centre, in partnership with Elim Clinic, is launching an initiative to empower parents in the fight against addiction. The programme, dubbed ‘Parenting 101’, is set to take place on October 12 at the Lehakoe Recreational Club in Maseru and aims to equip parents with the tools needed to address the growing challenges of addiction among children — be it alcohol, drugs, or even social media.

Behind the scenes of this initiative lies a story of hope, determination, and the relentless pursuit of solutions to a crisis that has affected families across the country. Public Eye sat down with Sebabatso Potsane Mokuku, the CEO of Sunrise Rehabilitation Centre, who explained what drives the centre and the objectives of the upcoming event.

“Sunrise Rehabilitation Centre is a non-profit organisation dedicated to assisting individuals struggling with addiction to drugs and alcohol. We were officially registered in 2020, but our journey only began in earnest in April 2023,” Mokuku explained. “Absence of a residential rehabilitation facility in Lesotho, coupled with the alarming rise in substance abuse, made it clear that our services were desperately needed.”

The services offered by Sunrise Rehabilitation Centre are diverse, encompassing rapid drug testing, in-patient treatment facilitated at their partner clinic in Johannesburg, Elim Clinic, and out-patient treatment programmes that include counselling, spiritual support, group therapy, family support, and aftercare. Each service is tailored to address different aspects of addiction, ensuring that those seeking help receive holistic support on their journey to recovery. Financing such a comprehensive range of services is no small feat for a non-profit making outfit.  Mokuku revealed that the centre relies on internal funding and charges fees to cover administrative and counselling costs. However, this has posed challenges, as many families are unable to afford the necessary treatment for their loved ones.

“We are working hard to make our services accessible to everyone,” she said. “While we are a non-governmental organisation, we are actively seeking partnerships with the government to find more sustainable solutions to the addiction crisis in Lesotho.” One of the centre’s goals is to extend its reach beyond Maseru. Currently, Sunrise operates only within the capital, but their tele-counselling services enable them to connect with clients in remote areas.

Looking ahead, Mokuku outlined their ambitious plan to establish a residential rehabilitation centre within the next five years, as outlined in their strategic plan.

“Addiction is a complex issue that requires collective effort to address,” Mokuku noted. “This is why we have partnered with other organisations, including ADAAL, Gents with Brains, Khubetsoana Anti-Drug Initiative, SAAPA, and Family Health Clinic. We recognise that no single entity can tackle this problem alone.”

The importance of family support cannot be overstated, according to Mokuku. Sunrise places a strong emphasis on empowering families through counselling and support programmes, understanding that addiction is not an isolated struggle but one that affects entire families.

Additionally, the centre is focused on equipping schools with the tools necessary to help children navigate the peer pressure they face daily.

“Our early intervention programme is designed to do just that — give children the support they need before addiction takes hold,” Mokuku said.

“But even with early intervention, the journey to recovery is fraught with challenges. Relapses are common, and maintaining long-term recovery requires continuous effort, especially when individuals return to environments that may not be conducive to healing,” she added.

Despite the hurdles, Mokuku remains optimistic.

The upcoming ‘Parenting 101’ event is one of several initiatives aimed at spreading awareness and providing practical solutions. The event has been significantly subsidised to ensure that as many parents as possible can attend.

“At Sunrise, we believe in the power of education and support,” Mokuku concluded. “Our job is to keep encouraging those on the path to recovery and to continue finding innovative ways to secure funding. Sustainability is key to ensuring that we can continue offering these vital services to our community.”