CHALLENGES FACING RURAL COMMUNITIES IN ACCESSING SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT

Abstract

The overwhelming effects of substance abuse on individuals, families and societies demand effective mechanisms of deterrence. While there is consensus about the importance of prevention, however, there are some challenges in accessing treatment for substance abuse. The study explored barriers that rural communities in North West province, South Africa, encounter in accessing treatment for substance abuse. Social constructivism research paradigm and qualitative research approach were used. A sample consisted of male and female adolescents, educators, parents, mental health worker, clinical psychologist, social worker, traditional healer, as well as a traditional leader. Purposive and snowball sampling were employed to recruit participants. Interviews were used to collect data. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse data. The findings revealed that adolescents found it difficult to access substance abuse treatment facilities due to waiting period before approval was granted and distance they had to travel to reach the facilities. Those who received treatment, lacked after care support due to limited number of social workers allocated to their rural areas and lack of transport funds to attend follow up sessions at rehabilitation centres. The study recommended the establishment of substance abuse treatment centres, especially in rural communities to ensure easy access by adolescents.

Keywords

• Challenges,substance abuse,treatment,programmes.

References

1. Anderson, C. (2010). Presenting and Evaluating Qualitative Research. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 74(8), 1-7.
2. Ashley, J., & Burke, K. (2010). Implementing Restorative Justice: A Guide for Schools. http://www.schoolturnaroundsupport.org/resources/implementingrestorative-justice-guide [Accessed 3.12.2017].
3. Beardshly, W.R., Chien, P.L., & Bell, C.C. (2011). Prevention of Mental Disorders, Substance Abuse, and Problem Behaviors: A Developmental Perspective. Psychiatric Services, 62(3), 247-254.
4. Berg, B.L. (2009). Qualitative Research Methods for the Social Sciences. (7th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
5. Buddy, T. (2018). Free Alcohol and Drug Rehab and Recovery Programs. https://www.verywellmind.com/free-alcoholism-and-drug-rehab-programs-67867 [Accessed 23.06.2017].
6. Brody, J.E. (2013). Personal Health: Effective Addiction Treatment. http://mobile.nytimes.com/blogs/well2013/02.04/effective-addiction-treatment/ [Accessed 30.05.2017].
7. Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2013). A Day in the Life of American Adolescents: Substance Use Facts Update. http://www.samhsa.gov/data/2K13/CBHSQ128/sr128-typical-day-adolescents2013.htm [Accessed 27.07.2017].
8. Cho, J.Y., & Lee, E.H. (2014). Reducing Confusion About Grounded Theory and Qualitative Content Analysis: Similarities and Differences. The Qualitative Report, 19(64), 1-20.

9. Condron, P. (2017). Outpatient Treatment Centre. https://drugabuse.com/library/outpatient-treatment [Accessed 29.06.2018].
10. Creswell, J.W. (2014). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. (4th edn.). California: Sage
11. Dada, S. Burnhams, N.H. Erasmus, J. Parry, C., Bhana, A., Timol, F., et al. (2016). Monitoring Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Use Trends in South Africa (July-December 2016). Research Brief, 19(1), 1-19.
12. Department of Health. (2013). National Mental Health Policy Framework and Strategic Plan. Pretoria: Government Printers.
13. Department of Social Development. (2013). National Drug Master Plan. Pretoria: Government Printers.
14. De Vos, A.S., Strydom, H., Fouche, C.B., & Delport, C.S.L. (2011). Research at Grassroots for the Social Sciences and Human Services Professions. (4th ed). Pretoria: Van Schaik.
15. Hennink, M., Hutter, I., & Bailey, A. (2011). Qualitative Research Methods. London: Sage.
16. Hiriscau, E.O., Stingelin-Giles, N., Wasserman, D., Reiter-Theil, S. (2016). Identifying Ethical Issues in Mental Health Research With Minor Adolescents: Results of a Delphi Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13(489),1-20.
17. International Centre for the Prevention of Crime. (2015). Prevention of Drug Related Crime Report. Canada: Department of Public Safety.
18. Isobell, D.L. (2013). Referring Agents’ Perceptions of Access Barriers to Inpatient Substance Abuse Treatment Centres in the Western Cape. Unpublished Masters Dissertation. Cape Town: University of Western Cape.
19. Isobell, D., Kamaloodien, K., & Savahl, S. (2016). A Qualitative Study of Referring Agents’ Perceptions of Access Barriers to Inpatient Substance Abuse Treatment Centres in the Western Cape. Harm Reduction Journal, 12(36) Li, S., Huang, H., Xu, G., Cai, Y., Huang, F., & Ye, X. (2013). Substance Use, Risky Sexual Behaviours, and Their Associations in a Chinese Sample of Senior High School Students. http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2 [Accessed 9.01.2014].
20. Marshall, C. & Rossman, G.B. (2011). Designing Qualitative Research. (5th ed.). London: Sage
21. Morojele, N.K., & Ramsoomar, L. (2015). Addressing Adolescent Alcohol Use in South Africa. South African Medical Journal, 106(6), 551-553.
22. Morozini, S. (2011). Can Restorative Justice Be the Right Response to Drug Offences? http://www.talkingdrugs.org/can-restorative-justice-be-the-rightresponse-to-drug-offences [Accessed 4.11.2017].
23. Mohasoa, I.P., & Mokoena, S. (2017). Factors Contributing to Substance Abuse (Drug) Among Male Adolescents in South African Public Secondary Schools. International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanity Studies, 9(1), 108-120.
24. Mothibi, K. (2014). Substance abuse amongst high school learners in rural communities. [Electronic Version]. Universal Journal of Psychology, 2(6),181- 191.
25. Myers, B.J., Louw, J., & Pasche, S.C. (2010). Inequitable Access to Substance Abuse Treatment Services in Cape Town, South Africa.
26. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2992042/#!po=83.9806 [Accessed 15.07.2016].
27. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2009). Drug Facts: Treatment Approaches for Drug Addiction. http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/treatment-approachesdrugaddiction [Accessed 18.06.2018].
28. Partnership for Drug Free Kids. (2016). People Who Become Addicted to Drugs Later in Life More Likely to Relapse: Study. Retrieved May 13, 2016, from http://www.drugfree.org/join-together/people-who-become-addicted-to-drugslater-in-life-more-relapse-study/ [Accessed 13.05.2018].
29. Patchin, J.W. & Keveles, G. N. (2004). Alternatives to Incarceration: An Evidence Based Research Review. Conference proceedings held at Lakewoods Resort, 12 November 2014 (pp. 1-17), Wisconsin: Northwest Wisconsin Criminal Justice.
30. Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods. (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
31. Pullen, E., & Oser, C. (2014). Barriers to Substance Abuse Treatment in Rural and Urban Communities: counsellor perspectives. Substance Abuse Misuse, 49(7), 891-901.
32. Segrott, J. Gillespie, D., Holiday, J., Humphreys, L., Murphy, S., Phillips, C., et al. (2014). Preventing Substance Misuse: Study Protocol for a Randomised Controlled Trial of the Strengthening Families Programme 10-14 UK (SFP10-14 UK). [Electronic Version]. BioMed Central Public Health, 14(49).
33. Setlalentoa, M., Ryke, E., & Strydom, H. (2015). Intervention strategies used to address alcohol abuse in the North West Province, South Africa. http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0037- 80542015000100006&Ing=en&nrm=iso [Accessed 12.05.2018].
34. Step Away Treatment Centre. (2018). The Short and Long-Term Side Effects of Alcohol Abuse. https://www.stepaway.co.za/News/entryid/2194/the-short-and-long-term-sideeffects-of-alcohol-abuse [Accessed 23.06.2018].
35. Sussman, S. (2011). Preventing and Treating Substance Abuse Among Adolescents. The Prevention Researcher, 18(2).
36. Sutton, J., & Austin, Z. (2015). Qualitative research: Data Collection, Analysis, and Management. Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy, 68(3), 226-231.
37. The Recovery Village. (2018). Why Should You Consider Long-Term Addiction Rehab? https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/drug-rehab/long-term-addiction rehab/ [Accessed 23.06.2018].
38. Tonkin-Crine, S., Anthierens, S., Hood, K., Yardley, L., Cals, J.W.L., Francis, N.A., et al. (2016). Discrepancies Between Qualitative and Quantitative Evaluation of Randomised Controlled Trial Results: Achieving Clarity Through Mixed Methods Triangulation. Retrieved July 9, 2017, from https://implementationscience.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13012-016- 04360
39. Umbreit, M.S., Vos, B., Coates, R.B., Lightfoot, E. (2005). Restorative Justice in the Twentieth Century: A Social Movement Full of Opportunities and Pitfalls. Minnesota: University of Minnesota.
40. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2017). World Drug Report. http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2017/June/world-drug-report-2017_- 29-5-million-people-globally-suffer-from-drug-use-disorders--opioids-the-mostharmful.html [Accessed 30.07.2017].
41. United States Department of Health and Human Services. (2010). Guidance on Withdrawal of Subjects from Data Retention and Other Related Issues http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/policy/subjectwithdrawal.html [Accessed 4.2.2017].
42. Willig, C. (2009). Introducing Qualitative Research in Psychology: Adventures in Theory and Method. (2nd edn.). United Kingdom: Open University Press. World Health Organisation. (2013). Mental health action plan. http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/89966/1/9789241506021_eng.pdf. [Accessed 15.7.2016].
43. World Health Organisation. (2011). Mental Health Atlas. Switzerland: WHO Press.