Local NPO celebrates international Day Against Drugs
The non-profit organisation which was established in 2017 focuses of assisting drug addicts by assessing and placing them into various rehabilitation facilities they work with.
As the world recognised International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Livelyhood Horizon gathered with residents at Phefeni Recreational Centre to engage on issues of alcohol and substance abuse on June 29.
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The day was held to remember those who have fallen victim and survivors of substance and alcohol abuse as well as to raise awareness on how residents can become active and help eradicate drugs.
Various local organisations which advocate against substance and alcohol abuse such as the City of Johannesburg, the Department of Social Development, Bheki Myende Foundation, Sisonke Gender Justice, Gender Based Violence brigades as well the Gauteng Department of Health came on board to issue their presentations aimed at helping to keep residents aware of their surroundings and give hope to those affected by drugs.
Livelyhood Horizon communications officer, Stanley Mollson who is also a recovering drug user said that as an organisation that deals with substance abuse awareness and early preventative programmes in the community, they are using this initiative to highlight the dangers of drug use in the community.
The non-profit organisation which was established in 2017 focuses of assisting drug addicts by assessing and placing them into various rehabilitation facilities they work with.
“During our community projects in local schools, we have noted that some children from as young as 15 years old have been exposed to drugs.
“Imagine if our society is ravaged by drugs from this early age, it means we are not going anywhere as a country.
“We believe that knowledge is power, if parents can attend such events they will get more information so that they are able to monitor their children as well as their behaviour.
“So through such engagements we will be able to shower them with the necessary information that will help assist in the continuous fight against drugs,” Mollson said.
He added that they also have psychiatrists that will assist attendees who want to enrol into rehabilitation centres.
“These stakeholders and professionals help facilitate the information from different angles of life. Even today, we still see more people dedicating their lives to drugs, this is why communities and the government need to come together to fight this pandemic.
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“We are all affected by the use to drugs directly and indirectly and we must keep on spreading information so that people are able to get assistance.”
A recovering addict from Livelyhood Horizon, Mbali Soga who started smoking drugs when she was 15 said there are a lot of aspects that can push young into seeking refuge in substances. Peer pressure, family backgrounds and mental health are some of them.
“When I look back, my journey to recovery has taught me a lot of things such as how my decisions to drugs has affected my loved ones.
“Livelyhood Horizon has indeed helped change my life because all the people there have offered me support since the first day I entered the facility seeking for assistance to change my life,” Soga said.
