The youth urged to stop abusing drugs
The campaign encourages people to get tested for HIV/Aids. It is sad not knowing your status.
NGODINI – While the county is celebrating 20 years of democracy known as “Intsandvo yelinyeti” by Nguni people, the youth of South Africa is misusing this freedom by engaging in substance abuse and crime.
“Young people should stop going to clubs or taverns, as they go there without money and end up having unprotected sex and find themselves with unwanted pregnancies,“ said Mr Amos Mdluli, regional manager of the LoveLife programme.
The Department of Social Development (DSD), LoveLife, Department of Education, Sanca, SAPS, NGO’s, Swartfontein Treatment Centre and Defender from Kasi FM, held a one-day anti-substance abuse awareness campaign at three schools.
The campaign started at Phathwa High School around 07:00. The purpose was to educate learners about the dangers of using drugs and how to stop if you are already using them. Poverty is not an excuse, a wise man once said: “Poverty is a choice”.
Ms G Mazibuko, director: restorative services at the DSD said: “Youth of South Africa, stand up for yourselves. Drinking alcohol doesn’t make you a good person. Instead it destroys your future bit by bit. Be the one who will change the situation your parents and the community as a whole find themselves in. I come from a rural area, but look at me now.”
Mr Sibusiso Mlambo from New Start, explained more about the campaign: “The campaign encourages people to get tested for HIV/Aids. It is sad not knowing your status. It’s like living in a dark world, especially the youth, you are the future. A person who is taking treatment is not supposed to drink alcohol nor take drugs.”
Hlanganani High School in Dwaleni was visited later. The bad weather didn’t stop the learners from getting information. Ms Cynthia Ngomane from Sanca, shared information about various kinds of substance abuse.
“Nyaope is the most dangerous drug young people can take and it is more affordable, yet it destroys their ability to think clearly. They end up stealing their own things,” she said.
The organisers of the substance abuse awareness campaign donated 10 uniforms to Hlanganani High School and 10 to Phathwa High School. Ngodini High School was also lucky to be visited. Although their break time was interrupted, the learners tried their utmost to pay attention.
Mpumalanga News spoke to some of the learners. Memory Baloyi said: “I’ve learnt a lot from this short session. I was touched when Defender from Kasi FM said girls must stop having affairs with married men. They drive in fancy cars but won’t give them to you. The only thing you’ll get is HIV/Aids,“ she concluded.
The campaign next moved to Elijah Mango Sports Field where schools were invited to enter sporting events as a healthy body leads to a healthy mind. Schools must encourage learners to engage in sports. This will help to keep them away from drugs and crime.
