Rehab centres funding cuts leave drug users high and dry

JOHANNESBURG - Hundreds of drug users have been left out to dry in Gauteng.

Government has pulled the plug on two major rehabilitation centres, leaving addicts treatment up in smoke.

Life Nkanyisa centres in Randfontein and Witpoort were forced to shut down after funding was cut.

They were helping over 600 in-patients and providing almost 150 halfway house spots.

Now, with the largest rehab operations' doors closed, the path to recovery has reached a dead end.

Sanca national director, Adri Vermeulen, said the whole sector has been affected by the funding crisis in Gauteng.

"This is really tragic for us because it means there's less bed capacity to deal with a massive problem we are facing in Gauteng."