Eldorado Park commemorate International day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking
Rewriting Eldos' narrative.
International day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking was commemorated on Wednesday, June 26. The Area Commissioner of Johannesburg together with the Eldorado Park Local drug Action Committee organised a Drug Awareness event at the Eldorado Park Don Mateman Hall in hopes to educate the community about the effects of drugs, the impact it has on the community and where families and users can seek help.
Various organisations set up stalls to display valuable information for both drug users and their families.
Correctional Service officials were present and said that the event was necessary to actively start changing the narrative of the Eldorado Park community and other communities alike.
Monica Madi, who is the Correctional Services social work supervisor addressed attendees and spoke about the purpose of the day.
“The theme for this year is health for justice, justice for health. The purpose for today is mainly to celebrate the day and to give hope to those who are still using and cannot find a way out. We want to make it known to the community that there is support available,” said Madi.
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Colonel Abdool from the Eldorado Park SAPS also addressed attendees and spoke about the importance of having a place to call home. “What is a home?” he asked. “A home is supposed to represent safety, caring, sharing, family, love, memories.
“It is supposed to be our anchor, our refuge from any danger but today for many of us it is a living hell because of drug abuse. Our homes and families are being destroyed because of substance abuse and only we can change that,” said Abdool.
A touching skit about the journey of a drug user was performed by ex-addicts and members of the Victory Outreach Recovery Home. Ashwin Graham, who is one of the directors at the recovery home said that is was important to portray something real.
“I am an example that anything is possible. I have completely changed my life for the better and I am where I am today because of God. When you are addicted you lose everyone and everything but God remains constant and He allows for recovery and restoration,” said Graham.
Residents at the home shared their testimonies with every who attended.
SANCA, the Randwest Recovery Centre, LDAC and the Yellow Ribbon Foundation were amongst the many stakeholders who participated in the event.
Community leaders shared words of encouragement and stated that Eldorado Park is well on its way of re-inventing, re-designing and re-writing its narrative.
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