Community Walk tackles GBV and drug abuse issues
NORWOOD – Commencing at the Paterson Park Bowls Club, the young and old defied the heat as they took to the streets.
Nothing could stop the Norwood community from their march against drug abuse and gender-based violence (GBV).
Community members joined members of the Norwood police, Community Police Forum, Khaume Security, Life Line Johannesburg, and Foundation for a Drug-Free World among many other stakeholders in the community march on 15 November.
Commencing at the Paterson Park Bowls Club, the young and old defied the heat as they took to the streets.
Ward 74 councillor Eleanor Huggett said there were a lot of problems with drugs particularly among schoolchildren.
She commended law-enforcing agencies for conducting drug raids and arresting perpetrators in the weeks leading up to the community march. She also reminded participants to stick to Covid-19 regulations.
One of the organisers of the event, Louveigne Muller of Foundation for a Drug-Free World said the aim of the event was to get the whole community together in a show of solidarity against GBV and the abuse of drugs.
“I think many can agree that the source of the difficulty in terms of GBV is from drug abuse, alcohol abuse and without the truth about drugs, a lot of people will go and abuse this particular area of life and they will hurt those around them,” Muller said.
“As a group, we want people to know that it is okay to come and get help when affected by GBV and with drug abuse issues. We want to ensure that the youth specifically, know the truth about what drugs do to you mentally, spiritually, physically and emotionally.”
Colleague and co-organiser Sabina Ryan said the link between drug abuse and GBV propelled them to combine the two issues as the purpose of the march.
“We just want to raise awareness and make the people that are the perpetrators of these acts very uncomfortable. This is not the first march and we hope to get more groups involved in the future,” she said.
Colonel Samuel Makola of Norwood Police Station encouraged all participants to contribute to making the area drug-free and also encouraged victims of abuse to report such crimes. Concurring, Captain Susan Matsana said domestic violence was real and affected both men and women although male victims seldom reported cases.
Participants of the march handed out pamphlets containing drug abuse and GBV information to residents.
Details: Foundation for a Drug-Free World
Invite us to community events by emailing naidines@caxton.co.za
Related articles:
https://www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette/353404/a-stand-against-drug-abuse-and-gbv/
https://www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette/231860/drugs-and-untidiness-can-jeopardise-existing-and-potential-businesses/
