Struggling youth welcome anti-drug message
ALEXANDRA – Anti-drug message hits home in addicted Alex youth.
Alex youth who are on drugs embraced a reformed addict from London who is on a mission to help others quit the pain and suffering associated with the habit.
Mike Ovenden (31) of global non-profit organisation Adult and Teen Challenge, was a guest of fellow organisation Blessed is the Hand That Gives on 10th Avenue where Ovenden and the youth shared the terrible journey of drug-induced self-destruction and their zeal to rehabilitate. The group of youth said all they wanted was to quit a lifestyle that led them nowhere but to certain death.
Blessed is the Hand partners with the Department of Correctional Services’ programme of re-integrating ex-prisoners into society and facilitated the dialogue in partnership with Grace Point Church. The church runs courses for inmates at Leeuwkop Prison where offenders from the township are held.
One of the youth Kgaugelo Frank said, “Contrary to belief, many of us need help and platforms like this one. I found myself on the wrong path, keeping bad company which influenced me into drugs and stealing which are not good for my image, family and country.”
He added that he had decided to change in the interest of his future and to be a positive role model for children. “They [children] need to know better if they are to be better persons and positive parents to their own children in future.”
Frank commended the sharing of stories on the dangers of drugs saying the group related to Ovenden’s background and drew inspiration from him as ‘experience is the best teacher’.
Lunga Zwane who was released on parole from Leeuwkop Prison in March last year said, “Prison is no place to be for young people. It ruins futures through criminal records, mixing with hardened criminals and the resulting negative perception on one by society when they are released.” He was convicted with fellow workmates for theft from an employer he claimed had underpaid them. “We were the losers for making the wrong criminal decision. I advise children and other youth not to do crime. It doesn’t pay but blemishes one’s record making it difficult to get employment in addition to losing valuable time you need to spend in school and other career developing occupations.”
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