Community work does not go unseen

Drugs are one of the world’s social ills and people from all walks of life can be affected by it. Some people go their whole lives through taking drugs and functioning in society while others try it for their first time and it ends up being their last.

When it comes to preventing drug and alcohol abuse, there is no single approach that will be 100 per cent effective. Each scenario needs a different approach but there is an effective solution to reduce the risks. The approach needs to come from a local perspective in which targeted solutions are made to address a community’s problem.

Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) has been training local groups since 1992. These local grassroots groups are known as community anti-drug coalitions. They are trained in effective community problem-solving strategies, teaching them how to assess their local substance abuse-related problems and draw up solutions in ways to fix the problem. According to CADCA, they are the leading drug abuse prevention organization, representing the interests of more than 5,000 community coalitions globally.

CADCA also educates the communities on the latest trends in substance abuse. They build community coalitions from the ground up and develop tools and resources that are helpful which leads to the empowerment of the affected community to solve their drug and alcohol-related problems.

CADCA’s vice president, Eric Siervo visited Eldorado Park, with Colber Prosper (lead trainer) and Irina Broughton (manager of international programmes for Africa and Asia) to see how their coalition in Eldos is doing. Siervo said that he was proud of the work that they have done and would like to see them continue prospering in the work set out for them.

CADCA hosted a Gala evening at Nancefield Primary School’s hall in Eldorado Park Extension Seven. They handed awards to many stakeholders that were and still are involved in the drug activism movement. MMC for Social Development Mpho Phalatse also made an appearance at the Gala evening.

These awards represented their appreciation for everyone’s involvement in making the Greater Eldorado Park a safe and drug-free place for all.