LIMPOPO – Young people from the Vhembe District are encouraged to start a revolution by striving to be unique, rebel against the established status quo and redefine what “cool” is.
During this week’s Freedom Day celebrations various schools, community forums and local government in partnership with the Industry association for responsible alcohol use (ARA) and implanting partner Action Society against Alcohol Abuse (ASAA), will stand united and proudly declare: Sober teens are cool teens!
ARA latest report on underage drinking shows that alcohol is the most widely abused drug among youth in the Vhembe District causing serious harm and potentially life-threatening problems for youth in the area. With this in mind campaign partners SAPS Thoyandou cluster, SANCA, Central Drug Authority, Dept of Basic Education, Dept of Health and Social Development, Dept Sports Arts and Culture, Vhembe District municipality, Thulamela Local Municipality decided to host a Freedom Day Picnic at the Tshifulanani Stadium near Thohoyandou in aid of the #YoungSoberProud #YSAP campaign.
“As the adage goes “show-don’t-tell” and as opposed to telling youngsters about the dangers of underage drinking Young, Sober and Proud promotes sports, arts and culture as diversion programmes to alcohol consumption among youth, teens and learners in schools” – Sharon Towobola, Programme Manager of ASSA
Former TV presenter, Hulisani Ravele and musician, Dr. Malinga will be the MCs. The celebrations will starts at 10:00, entrance is FREE.
All cool teens out in Venda who are Young, Sober, & Proud, we're celebrating YOU on Wednesday! Free entrance. #YSAP pic.twitter.com/HrMxFCMgb0
— Hulisani Ravele (@HulisaniRavele) April 25, 2016
The #YoungSoberProud #YSAP campaign is an initiative of ARA implemented by ASAA aims to achieve the following outcomes:
– Reduce harmful and abusive consumption of alcohol in the communities
– Reduce community tolerance for alcohol use by the youth and underage teens.
– Provide learners with knowledge, skills and motivation to resist pressures of alcohol and reducing the prevalence of adolescent drinking
– Strengthen a national commitment to address the problem of underage drinking ie National strategy for the prevention and management of alcohol and drug use amongst learners in schools
– Promoting sport, arts and culture as possible diversion programmes to alcohol consumption among youth, teens and learners in schools.
Underage drinking has been reported as a major concern throughout SA
According to Towobola, underage drinking is seen as a gateway drug as it often precedes the use of other illicit substances and drugs within communities. Alcohol abuse has been reported as a major concern and is a source of social and economic problems in many developing countries such as South Africa. Of concern are the negative socio-economic effects that are experienced by the drinkers, families and society. Service providers such as social workers, police officers and educators as community support networks are tasked with addressing the socio-economic problems and driving interventions. Interventions used such as providing information on alcohol, positive engagements with youths in and out of school, promotion of responsible use, treatment and rehabilitation. Finding hobbies to fill time like playing sports, joining a drama group or something along those lines not only helps to keep teenagers occupied, but it also begins to help them realize that happiness is found in places other than the bar or bottle.
“These young people are our future leaders—our future teachers, mayors, doctors, parents, and entertainer. As our youth and young adults face challenges, we as a community, need to effectively communicate with them in every way possible about the risks of underage drinking so that they have the necessary tools to make healthy and informed choices,” concluded Sharon Towobola.
