Informing the community on drugs
A Drug Awareness Campaign was held at the J Dumane Community Hall in Vosloorus on April 21.
Community members and school children who are against the abuse of drugs in the township gathered at the hall in Extension Two to discuss the causes, symptoms and solutions to the subject.
Ntombifuthi Nkabinde, the organiser of the event, said they also want to share the pain of the mothers of the addicted children.
“We know the pain they are going through. We want them to know that they are not alone, we are with them all the way,” said Nkabinde. “It is not easy to cope with a situation where your child leaves home to stay on the streets, especially during the cold winter seasons, not knowing what your child eats and where he sleeps.”
She said they organised local church members to help with prayers.
“We know that God is a solution to all the problems, so we strongly believe that the prayers will work,” said Nkabinde.
Moeketsi Mofokeng, a former drug addict, said he found himself using drugs because he wanted to fit in.
“I thought doing drugs was cool until I found myself stealing everything in the house because I wanted a fix,” said Mofokeng. He was lucky because his parents managed to get him to rehab.
He added that peer pressure, not paying attention to a child’s needs and not to hear your child when he talks is the reason why children end up using drugs.
He said if parents find themselves in a situation where their children are involved in drugs to not shout or say it is a curse.
“Instead, try to reach out to them and find out what could be the cause. As soon as you manage to send them to rehab try to be a best friend to your child instead of being a parent who takes no nonsense because you will end up driving your child away. He will look for love and attention from the wrong people. Parents must also learn to keep their promises to their children. If your child asked for a R2000 pair of sneakers and you promised to get them, keep that promise,” said Mofokeng.
He went on to add that dagga and nyaope are not the only dangerous drugs
“There is flaga and crocodile that are more dangerous than nyaope. So parents, be careful,” concludes Mofokeng.
He pleaded with parents to be careful if their children begins to spend most of their time outside their home.
“Ask yourself why. What is it that he gets outside the house that he is not getting inside the house.”
