House Rules & Disciplinary Policy

Roots to Recovery operates a zero-tolerance sobriety policy. No alcohol, no illegal drugs, no cannabis in any form, no cannabidiol (CBD) products, no tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products, no drug paraphernalia and no mind-altering substances may be brought onto, kept on, used on or distributed on the premises.

Residents may not arrive at, or return to, the premises under the influence of any prohibited substance.

Any positive drug or alcohol test, refusal to test, or tampering with a sample is treated as a serious breach.

Every person at Roots to Recovery, whether Resident, staff member, contractor or visitor, is to be treated with dignity and respect.

Violence, threats of violence, intimidation, racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, bullying, harassment and discriminatory language are not tolerated.

Sexual contact between Residents on the premises is not permitted.

Theft is not tolerated. Any taking of property belonging to another person, without permission, is a serious breach.

Damage to Facility property, the property of other Residents, the property of staff or the property of visitors, caused through negligence, recklessness or intentional misconduct, must be paid for by the Resident or the Responsible Person.

Communal spaces must be kept tidy. Personal rooms and bathrooms must be cleaned daily. Inspections may take place at any reasonable time.

Honesty underpins recovery. Lying to staff, falsifying records, hiding prohibited items, concealing relapse or covering for another Resident's breach are serious matters.

Disclose any change in medication, health, mental state or legal status immediately and in writing.

Active participation in the daily programme is required. This includes morning check-in, group sessions, NA or HEAL meetings, counselling, mentorship, mindfulness, exercise, employment readiness, chore rotation and house meetings.

Non-attendance, persistent lateness, withdrawal from group activities or refusal to participate may be addressed under the Disciplinary Policy.

Residents must be on the premises by the curfew time set by the Facility, save where authorised leave applies.

Only the Responsible Person may sign a Resident out, save where a named additional visitor has been authorised in writing by the Responsible Person in advance.

Weekend leave runs from Friday at 17h00 (departure window 17h00 to 20h00) to Sunday at 17h00. No overnight leave is permitted during the first month of residence.

Late return without prior authorisation is a breach.

Visiting hours are Saturdays and Sundays, 09h00 to 17h00.

Visitors must produce identification at the gate, sign the visitor register and submit to a search of any bag or item brought onto the premises.

No visitor may bring onto the premises alcohol, illegal drugs, cannabis, marijuana, CBD or THC products, drug paraphernalia, mind-altering substances or unapproved medication.

No overnight visitors are permitted during the first month of residence.

Residents are responsible for the conduct of their visitors.

All meals served on the premises are vegetarian. No meat, poultry or fish may be prepared on the premises. No raw meat, poultry or fish may be brought onto or stored on the premises.

Non-vegetarian food may be consumed off the premises. Non-vegetarian leftovers may not be brought back.

Smoking and vaping are permitted only in the designated smoking areas.

A penalty of R200,00 per incident applies to smoking or vaping anywhere else on the premises (including bedrooms, bathrooms, communal living areas, balconies, gardens and vehicles).

Repeated breaches will be addressed under the Disciplinary Policy.

All chronic and prescribed medication is packaged by the appointed pharmacist into weekly compliance packs and stored by the Facility. Packs are issued to Residents on a Sunday.

Residents must disclose all current medication, all medication changes and any allergy or sensitivity.

Residents may not hold any unauthorised medication on the premises, share or sell medication to another Resident, or use any medication other than as prescribed.

Residents consent, by signing the Resident Admission Agreement, to the searching of their person, room, vehicle, bags, belongings and any property brought onto or kept on the premises.

Refusal to submit to a search is a serious breach.

Random and routine drug and alcohol testing is conducted throughout the stay.

Refusing to test, providing an inadequate sample, evading testing or tampering with a sample is deemed a positive result.

Residents may not share the identity, history, circumstances or progress of any other Resident with any person outside the Facility.

Residents may not record, photograph or film other Residents, staff, contractors or visitors without express written consent.

Mobile phones, laptops, tablets and other devices may be used outside of group sessions, counselling, meals and quiet hours.

Devices may not be used to access alcohol or drug content, gambling, pornography or any other material that compromises recovery.

Loud calls, music or media in communal spaces are not acceptable.

Vehicles parked on the premises may be searched at any time.

Residents may not transport other Residents in personal vehicles without prior approval of the Facility Manager.

Drunk or drug-impaired driving anywhere, including off the premises, is a serious breach.

Fees are payable in advance, by no later than the 3rd of the month.

Failure to pay fees may lead to suspension of privileges and, where unresolved, termination of residence.

Residents may not remove furniture, equipment or fittings from communal spaces without permission.

Residents must report any damage, malfunction or hazard to the staff on duty without delay.

Open flames, candles, incense, paraffin appliances and unauthorised heating appliances are not permitted in bedrooms or communal areas.

Residents must comply with all fire safety instructions and participate in fire drills.

Tampering with fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, alarms or emergency equipment is a serious breach.

Residents represent Roots to Recovery when they are off the premises during leave, outings or employment activities. Conduct that brings the Facility into disrepute, or that endangers recovery, may be addressed under the Disciplinary Policy.

Residents must cooperate with any investigation, search, test or disciplinary hearing.

Retaliation against any Resident or staff member who reports a breach is itself a serious breach.

PART 2 — DISCIPLINARY POLICY

The Disciplinary Policy ensures that breaches of the House Rules are addressed fairly, consistently and with the recovery of the Resident in mind. The aim is to correct conduct where possible, to keep the residence safe, and to remove the Resident only where this is necessary to safeguard the Resident, other Residents or the integrity of the residence.

Breaches are categorised as minor, serious or gross. The category determines the response.

A minor breach is addressed by the senior staff member on duty, who:

• speaks to the Resident, explains the breach, and gives the Resident an opportunity to respond;
• records the breach in the Resident's file, including the response of the Resident and the sanction applied;
• where appropriate, communicates the matter to the Facility Manager.

A serious breach is addressed in writing. The Facility Manager:

• issues a written notice of the alleged breach, setting out the conduct in question, the rule or rules said to have been breached and the proposed sanction;
• gives the Resident a reasonable opportunity (normally not less than 24 hours) to respond in writing or in person;
• considers any response and any mitigating factors;
• issues a written outcome, recording the finding, the sanction, the right of the Resident to make written representations to the Director, and the period within which such representations must be made.

A gross breach may result in immediate termination. The Facility:

• may suspend the Resident from communal areas and the programme pending the disciplinary process, where this is necessary for safety;
• convenes a disciplinary meeting as soon as reasonably possible, normally within 24 hours;
• gives the Resident a clear statement of the alleged conduct and the rule or rules said to have been breached;
• gives the Resident an opportunity to respond, to be heard, and to be accompanied by his Responsible Person where possible;
• considers all the evidence, including any test result, witness statement, search outcome or video record;
• issues a written outcome, recording the finding, the sanction (which may include immediate termination) and any further action (recovery of damages, reporting to the South African Police Service, return of belongings).

A Resident may, within 72 hours of a written outcome, submit written representations to the Director requesting a review.

The Director will review the matter on the papers, may meet with the Resident, and will issue a written decision normally within 5 working days. The Director's decision is final.

Every disciplinary matter, from verbal counselling to termination, is recorded in the Resident's file. Records are kept in accordance with the Communication and POPIA Consent.

The following sanctions are available, either singly or in combination:

• verbal counselling;
• written warning;
• final written warning;
• smoking infringement penalty of R200,00 per incident;
• suspension of leave privileges for a defined period;
• suspension of recreational privileges, including devices, gym or outings;
• additional chores or community contributions;
• mandatory counselling, mentorship or programme intensification;
• behavioural contract setting out specific expectations and review dates;
• restitution for damage or loss;
• termination of admission, with immediate effect or on notice;
• reporting to the South African Police Service where the conduct constitutes a criminal offence.

Where the breach involves a positive drug or alcohol test, a refusal to test, or tampering with a sample, the Drug Testing and Relapse Protocol and the Relapse Response Procedure apply.

These Protocols and this Disciplinary Policy operate together. A relapse is treated with both compassion and accountability.

No Resident will be victimised for reporting a breach in good faith, for cooperating with a disciplinary process, or for giving evidence at a disciplinary meeting.

RESIDENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I, the undersigned Resident, acknowledge that:

• I have read the House Rules and the Disciplinary Policy in full.
• I understand the standards of conduct that apply at Roots to Recovery.
• I understand the disciplinary process and the sanctions that may be applied.
• I undertake to comply with the House Rules and to cooperate with the disciplinary process.