CAD Group Recommendations
INTRODUCTION
Since May 2007 I have been the coordinator of CAD in the Western and Southern Cape and visited 19 existing CAD groups and helped establish 20 new groups. I also studied the files of groups, Saamstaan articles and read the Workbook of the CAD as well as talked with leaders of the CAD. There are certainly many factors that determine the success of CAD groups, but to my mind the following keys:
1. Jesus’ presence
Members are friendly, positive, excited, loving, full of joy and peace, faithful, humble and portray the image of Jesus.
2. Strong leadership
Leadership in CAD must be shared so that the responsibility is not just that of one person (see lecture 4 in CAD Workbook).
3. Large membership
The more workers there are, the more effectively CAD goals are reached (see readings 11 to 15 in Workbook).
New members should be constantly recruited by contact with rehabilitation centres, churches, and welfare organizations by testimonies, motivation and marketing.
4. Variety of programs
People will only work as their own needs are met and if they find CAD enjoyable and valuable. Members should therefore help plan the annual program and there are a wide variety of themes and activities to be included. The general public should also benefit from CAD programs. The program themes, activities, facilities and projects may include the following:
Themes: All themes in the Workbook reflect the new life, relapses, aftercare, defence mechanisms, peace, divorce, eating, sleeping, etc.., And other topics such as problem solving, counselling, crisis intervention, herbs, Satanism, pain management, healthy family life, marriage enrichment, role of scholars, pill addiction, court intercession, confrontation, astronomy, beekeeping, natural foods, credit, estate planning, needs of old age, police and drugs, chemical composition of alcohol fermentation and distillation, recreational, somatic diseases, genetic heritability, psycho-analytic theories about addiction, conditioning, detoxification, treatment, depression, stress, AIDS, gambling addiction, Bible study, etc. can be discussed. The themes can be treated by a speaker, group discussion, video or debate.
Activities: Bible Quiz, role play, workshop, issue, assistance in old age, music or games night, safari dinner, barbecue, dance party, pancakes, sports stadium or museum visits, fishing, hunting, camping, tours, dinner, exhibition, evidence, karaoke, snooker, bridge, chess, bingo, theatre, movies, mini-golf, “Potjiekos”, pub visits, training, hobbies, fruit festival, soup evening, home visits, baking demonstration, cycling, magician, etc.
Projects: Marriage Enrichment Course, marketing, transitional housing, pottery, golf day, coffee bar, theatre performances, chorus, gymnasium, internet cafe, goose down products, green cuttings / bonsai, pigeons or goldfish, paving, cement, furniture restoration, beading, shell-art, leather work, hobbies, flower arrangement, orchestra, clothing sale, hotline / crisis clinic, home industry, gardening, cleaning, clothing bank, woodworking, welding and metal work, different kinds of training and job creation, etc.
SUMMARY
There should be various sub-groups within the CAD to satisfy different needs and to develop leaders, e.g. girls group, boys group, children of addicts, family and marital couples who work with others, alcohol, drugs, medication. The CAD should address the need for community-based treatment and be the specialist organization available with regard to addiction in every town.
Organiser and senior social worker (Emma Gibbons)