Clinix partners with sport stars for substance abuse awareness
The campaign, aimed to educate and raise awareness of substance abuse and addiction, was launched on June 19 at the Solomon ‘Stix’ Morewa Memorial Hospital in Johannesburg South.
Bernard Parker, from Reiger Park, Olympic silver medalist Luvo Manyonga and former Banyana Banyana striker Portia Modise, are the ambassadors of the Clinix Health Group’s substance abuse disorders and addiction campaign.
The campaign, aimed to educate and raise awareness of substance abuse and addiction, was launched on June 19 at the Solomon ‘Stix’ Morewa Memorial Hospital in Johannesburg South.
Manyonga battled drug addiction for over a decade, and World Athletics banned him for four years for a doping violation in 2021, while Parker (Reiger Park) and Modise (Soweto) grew up in areas where they witnessed peers fall through the cracks because of using drugs.
Clinix chief marketing officer Matshepo Majola said: “As the Clinix Health Group, we pride ourselves on being a responsible corporate citizen that cares for the well-being of the communities we serve.
“This awareness campaign is important to us, as our country has a mammoth drug problem that cuts across all races, classes and age groups. Statistics shockingly reveal that one in four pre-teens have experimented with psychoactive drugs, a third of South Africans 15 years and older are drinkers, and almost 60% of those engage in binge drinking.
“As a people-centred brand, we would like this campaign to not only raise awareness about the adverse effects of substance and illicit drug use. We want to convey a message of empathy that will encourage individuals struggling with substance use disorders and addiction to seek help and get support, which is what we offer at our various wellness centres across Gauteng.”
The Clinix Health Group will also collaborate with community-based organisations, schools and other stakeholders to host community engagement activations throughout the campaign.
“These will take place at various communities at Clinix wellness centres across Gauteng”, added Majola.
“Our partnership with the three sports stars who will be our campaign ambassadors was a deliberate move because we are convinced their relatable individual stories will have a positive impact and demonstrate how sport can have both positive and negative associations to substance use and addiction.”
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