SANCA challenges community to ‘Kick your Habit’ in drug awareness drive

THE South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA) is calling on communities across South Africa to join the Kick your Habit challenge and give up a food, drink or activity they regularly enjoy. 

The challenge commemorates SANCA Week which runs until 27 June.

Through the challenge, SANCA aims to raise awareness of the complexities related to substance addiction and dependence, said Durban SANCA Director, Fatima Hussain.

“The campaign seeks to build awareness through experience; by challenging individuals within our communities and country to stop using one ‘thing’ for a week and experience, albeit briefly, what a substance dependent might go through in treatment. With experience comes education and this is the ultimate aim of the campaign. Whether this ‘thing’ is caffeine, tobacco, chocolate, or even shopping, is entirely up to the individual’s discretion; however, it is important to consider your choice and select the habit that you can identify using on regular basis,” said Hussain.

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SANCA encourages recovering addicts to keep a daily log, or an online blog of their progress.

“Whether this daily log is posted online, or is private is your decision, as long as you engage with the challenge. SANCA is asking all South Africans to join the challenge and to challenge each other during the week. By raising awareness of the difficulties related to substance use and abuse, we take a step closer to lowering the incidence and rates of substance use within our country. It is our responsibility as citizens of this country to work together to build a brighter future for the next generation,” added Hussain.

SANCA, a non-profit organisation, is dedicated to the treatment, prevention and awareness of drug dependence within all nine provinces of South Africa.

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“With more than 60 years’ experience in this field, SANCA is one of the leading organisations fighting the ever increasing substance use and abuse rates within the country. With 31 clinics and 98 service points throughout the country, SANCA is also one of the biggest non-profit organisations in South Africa, with all of its branches affiliated to the SANCA National Directorate based in Johannesburg, Gauteng,” she added.

For more information, call the SANCA National Directorate on 011 892 3829, visit the website: www.sancanational.info or email: sancanational@telkomsa.net.

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