This group was founded by Mr Graham Moore of Johannesburg, who, after leaving drug rehabilitation and entering back into the outside world, realised that there was no form of support for either himself to remain accountable, or for his family to be educated about the challenges of recovery.

The aim of the group is to invite recovering addicts and their families suffering from the consquences of any form of substance abuse or addiction, to talk about their challenges in a non-threatening environment where everyone in the group is talking from their own personal experiences. 

HEAL has grown to the extent that there are now 16 groups operating mostly in the Johannesburg area, but with four groups in KZN: Ramsgate, Westville, Kloof and Hilton.

Sue Bentley and Dorothy Marshall, facilitate the Hilton group which meets every Wednesday evening on an ongoing basis, at the HCF Church, opposite Grace College School, from 6.30pm - 8.30pm. Entrance is free.

The group focuses on educating and empowering families about addiction and about such concepts as denial, setting boundaries, enabling, co-dependency etc. Most people are completely ignorant about these concepts, and of how their own behaviours can in fact cause the addiction to continue.

HEAL also provides information on rehabilitation centres, court procedures, drug testing procedures, relapse prevention plans etc.

The group is run on Christian principles, but is open to all members of the community regardless of their faith.

The groups are not restricted to substance/alcohol abuse issues, but are for all types of addiction, including gambling, eating disorders etc. Heal works best when the family unit is working together towards a common goal.

More information can be found on the Heal website www.healministries.com.

Heal is a Public Benefit Organisation PBO.No. 930033128.

Situated below Hilton Life Hospital opp Local Pharmacy.

The UCSI is going well and we continue to have a positive impact in our community. The UCSI membership is growing, and we really need to encourage more local businesses, shopping centres, estates, security companies and schools to come on board. Support a wonderful, local initiative.

UCSI vehicle
The UCSI is in need of a vehicle for our Operations Manager. If anyone is able to assist with:

1. Selling a reliable, cost effective, second-hand vehicle to the UCSI
OR
2. Donating a vehicle to the UCSI (Section 18A can be issued)
OR
3. Any other helpful, cost effective option

Please contact Frans on 063 068 9652 as soon as possible. That would be greatly appreciated.

Gantry update
The UCSI has the full CAPEX funding amount to get Gantry 14 erected on the R617 (Boston / Bulwer Road towards Mpophomeni) outside Dunning House (near Midmar Building supplies). We just need more monthly operational membership funding (OPEX) to come in. Please can we encourage residents and business entities in the Merrivale, Merrivale Heights and Howick West areas to come on board.

The UCSI also has partial CAPEX funding for Gantry 18 on Prospect Road outside Fairfield Dairy (as one enters Howick / Howick West from the N3) and for Gantry 26 outside Stockowners (as one comes off the N3 heading towards Tweedie). If there are any other businesses out there that would like to donate between R20k – R40k towards these gantries, please contact Frans.

The UCSI is a registered NPC and able to issue a Section 18A certificate for any donations made.

Operations update
The UCSI Operations Manager is monitoring numerous vehicles entering our communities on a daily basis. SAPS is contacted and checks are done. Discernment is a key skill needed in order to do this, as numerous vehicles pass through our UCSI SNIPR cameras that need following up for various reasons. This close working relationship with SAPS is key to making the right calls to action. Over the past 10 days the UCSI has followed up on 14 such vehicles successfully.

It is also critical that legitimate and credible information is loaded onto the SNIPR system. Again, this is where the UCSI Operations Manager is clinical about the information loaded, as well as checking up on the information that has been loaded by other entities that utilise the broader SNIPR network. The SAPS Crime Administration System (CAS) also feeds live into SNIPR, so vehicles wanted by SAPS for various crimes committed, are also monitored by the UCSI and SAPS dispatched accordingly.

How can you get involved?
Please join the UCSI as a contributing member. The UCSI will not be sustainable without monthly community support from business entities, shopping centres, hospitals, schools, estates, security companies and private individuals.

Contact Frans on 063 068 9652 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information on how to join and make a contribution. Private individuals from R 50 pm and business entities from R 300 pm.

News supplied by UCSI.