The Eastern Cape’s only state-owned drug rehabilitation centre for children – a R67-million facility opened with much fanfare in Port Elizabeth just two years ago – is falling into disrepair, with rehab services compromised.
The electric fence at the Ernest Malgas drug rehabilitation centre in Red Location is no longer working, resulting in some of the drug-addicted children escaping.
It has one working geyser and a non-functioning clinic.
Residents also drink openly close to the centre, according to sources.
The centre was opened in April 2016.
Several people involved with the centre, who did not want to be named, raised their concerns last week.
They included: The broken electric fence and children escaping over the walls;
The non-functioning clinic, which has led to the children asking staff members, other than nurses, for pain tablets;
A staff member who stayed away from work for a year;
Broken pool tables, tabletennis tables and other do
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