Drugs and alcohol abuse has
increased dramatically in rural and township schools in South Africa. Therefore
awareness education around drugs and alcohol is required.
A grade 10 learner Thubelihle Khumalo addressing learners at campaign.
On the 11 April 2014, the
Star For Life Skills Coach, Londiwe Nyawo together with the Mobile Health Unit
team and the Wellness and Area Managers organized a drug and alcohol campaign
themed, ‘I value My Life Campaign’. This campaign was launched at Zenzeleni
Mashamase High School in the Empangeni Area. The campaign comes after alarming
levels of drug abuse reported in the area. The campaign was also attended by
the representatives from the South African Police Services (SAPS), South
African National Counsel on Alcoholism (SANCA) and the Department of Education.
Star For Life Life Skills Coach speaking at the campaign.
The Star For Life Mobile
Health Unit Manager, Sicebile Nsele said peer pressure, lack of awareness and
curiosity have been some of the many factors leading young people to alcohol
and drug abuse. Therefore it is important that the awareness reaches them
before they even start using these substances.
Addressing the learners at
the school Silungile Ndlovu from SANCA said drugs and substance abuse during
adolescence age can pose a huge health risk to learners, “Drugs will not only
affect your bodies physically and emotionally but it’ll also affect your whole
future.” An emotional yet educational video produced by SANCA about the effects
of drugs abuse was screened.
A grade 10 learner Thubelihle
Khumalo said most of their peers in drugs start with dagga and home brewed
beer, as it is easily accessible and they’ll then progress to more dangerous
drugs such ‘whoonga’, a drug cocktail which is said to be a mixture of rat
poison, cleaning detergent and HIV Anti-retroviral medication.
The representative from SAPS,
Sgt Sithole said most of the crimes committed by young people nationally are
related to substance abuse. Addressing
the learners Sithole cautioned them about holding a criminal record at their
age and how it will affect their future endeavors.
The ward inspector from
Department of Education Miss Ngubane thanked Star For Life and all the
stakeholders who were involved. “You are lucky to have stakeholders such as
Star For Life, who organize such campaigns for you, so if you are using drugs
you still have a chance, you have people like SFL Coach to talk to,” said Miss
Ngubane.