FAMSA organises talk on drug abuse with students

The event was attended by students and teachers from Goedehoop Primary School, East Rand Tech, Oostrand High School, as well as Reiger Park community members.

Various organisations were invited to the event, which included Kidz Clinic, Correctional Services, Child Welfare, Crisis Centre, Mercy Haven, Department of Social Development (DSD), Early Development Centre (ECD), Disability Centre, Ithemba Community Centre, and the Reiger Park Police Drug Committee.

“The purpose of the event is to prevent drug abuse, pregnancy and domestic violence, and also to enlighten the students and community of where they can go when faced with such issues,” said organiser of the event, Suzan Dube from Famsa.

The event was opened with a prayer, followed by an opening address by Angie Reiners, a community worker at the Ithemba Community Centre.

The welcome speech was given by Reiger Park ward councillor, Charles Crawford.

“Our community is in a situation where young people are being exposed to drugs. It is time to expose the people who are targeting you as we know these drug dealers are living in this community,” Crawford advised students.

“It’s your future, open your eyes, be alert and aware of the people abusing you as students and stay away from drugs.”

Nonhlanhla Ngubo from Kidz Clinic touched on the role of the clinic and what to do, who to speak to, and what steps to take when a person is raped.

Child Welfare social worker, Pertunia Sekgota, encouraged parents who have extra love to share, to foster a child.

“We speak on the children’s behalf, and we have their best interests at heart. Come to us and check if you qualify to become a foster parent,” she said.

Phinah Moholola from the Crisis Centre, as well as Zelda Nkabinde from Mercy Haven, shared with students where they can be found and how they can help the community.

“My stubbornness is what got me into prison. I was given 77 years, but by the grace of God, I got released so that I can help the youth who are also tempted to fall into a life of drugs and crime,” said ex-offender, Malcolm Oranje.

“Your family only wants the best for you; so you can choose your friends, but not your family. Don’t do things to impress your friends,” he advised students.

Oranje reminded the students that crime doesn’t pay, and that they will either lose their life, or become disabled as a result.

“The moral decay of our community is due to substance abuse. We should not be sorting out the mess, but should rather prevent it instead,” said Jose Smith from the Reiger Park ECD.

Other speakers included Luckmore Takachicha from the Disability Centre, as well as Constable Naty Mokwala from the Reiger Park SAPS drug committee.