South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA) visited Pimville Zone 3 yesterday (April 9).
As part of their school holidays campaign SANCA representatives talked to teenagers about the dangers of using drugs.
Thulani Motladile from SANCA Rockville addressed teenagers who filled a classroom at the Malebese Centre.
Under the slogan, “Ke moja, I’m fine without drugs,” teenagers were encouraged to avoid friends who influence them in to taking drugs.
Motladile said, “It starts as a playful thing at primary school with pupils smoking papers and chalk and develops into a serious drug addiction.”
He explained to pupils that no drug is okay; all drugs are harmful to one’s health. He spoke about the use of oka pipe which is popular with teenagers.
He said it can be more dangerous than normal cigarette.
“Oka pipe can even lead to TB because it is usually shared among many people at once,” said Motladile.
He said it is best to avoid it because in some cases people put dagga and other illegal substances in it instead of normal tobacco.
The campaign was targeting teenagers who are at risk of using drugs and other illegal substances during school holidays.
“It is important to start prevention at an early age and that is why we are talking to teenagers today,” said Motladile.