The Norwood Community Policing Forum (CPF) taught the community about the dangers of ‘leaning’.
The #LeanOnMe campaign was started by the Norwood CPF to raise awareness and to educate about the dangers of substance use disorder, mainly seen in teenagers.
The ‘lean team’ had a successful campaign from 10:00 to 14:00 at the Norwood Mall on September 3. Members of the CPF, Lifeline Johannesburg, Adcock Ingram and Norwood Police Station had conversations with shoppers at the mall on how everyone can play their part in supporting the youth and families struggling with drug addiction issues.
The team also highlighted the dangers of ‘lean’ – a mixture of cough syrup and a fizzy drink.
Substance abuse expert David Bayever said, “The youth take drugs because they want to feel different but when they come down from euphoria, they fall into a depression that entices them to take more. Taking more then leads them to get stuck in a vicious cycle.”
Member of the Norwood CPF Annie Hodes added, “Our youth is blindly socialising with a substance that has the potential to destroy their lives and that of their families. To them, lean is nothing more than just a recreational drug, while to some it’s a form of escapism from their reality. Whatever the case may be, the underlying problem is that the youth does not yet perceive this substance as a monster.”
If you or a loved one are battling with a lean addiction, contact the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence on 011 892 3829 or send a message on Whatsapp at 076 535 1701.
Details: Visit www.leanonme.org.za for more information about the #LeanOnMe campaign.
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