Duduza – The Department of Social Development hosted a substance abuse awareness and empowerment activation on October 23.

The event, held at the Duduza customer care centre, was aimed to educate and inspire young people while addressing the growing challenges of addiction within local communities.

Acting head of services for the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA) Eastern Region, Matshepo Kgodisang, said the initiative was part of a broader campaign to prepare for a mass admission programme to be led by the Gauteng Premier.

“We are here today to motivate the community and teach them more about addiction, its implications, and the importance of aftercare. We urge parents and community members to support those affected by substance abuse because addiction is often a cry for help.

“Many victims face rejection, which increases the risk of relapse. Our role as social workers is to help rebuild their confidence and self-esteem so that they can reintegrate successfully into society.

“Those who are still struggling must remain committed to treatment, stay teachable, and work hard to change their lives,” she said.

Johnson Tau, social work supervisor for substance abuse in the Nigel cluster, which includes Duduza, Nigel, Alra Park, Dunnottar and John Dube, said the activation was also aimed at reconnecting with individuals who had previously received assistance.

“We called the community together for this activation to follow up on those who have been assisted before, assess their progress, and encourage them not to relapse.

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“We have also invited different stakeholders to provide information about life skills programmes. As we approach the festive season, we want to discourage drinking and driving to prevent unnecessary road fatalities,” Tau said.

Community members who attended the event shared their thoughts and experiences. Thabiso Radebe (27), a recovering addict, said the programme gave him hope and reminded him of the importance of self-discipline.

“I have been clean for eight months now, and events like these help me to stay motivated. Hearing other people’s stories reminds me that I’m not alone and that recovery is possible when you have support.”

Mpho Maseko (55) stated, “As parents, we cannot judge our children; we need to listen and support them. This event opened my eyes to how much help is available if we work together as a community to fight substance abuse.”