IN a bid to raise awareness on International Day Against Substance Misuse and Drug Trafficking, June 26, SANCA Durban held a march around the Musgrave area, from their offices on 185 Vause Road and back, which culminated in a feedback session on the fight against the scourge in Durban and the rest of South Africa.

The march, which was attended by members of various government departments, NGOs and the eThekwini Municipality, created a stir around the Musgrave area with onlookers showing their support while motorists hooted in agreement with the strong message that was being sent out.

@caxtonlocalmedia 🎥 LOUD & CLEAR: Durban says NO to drugs! 🚫💊 On June 26, SANCA Durban led a powerful march through Musgrave for International Day Against Substance Abuse, joined by law enforcement, community orgs & city officials. Placards, chants & unity filled the streets: 👉 “Choose sobriety, choose life!” 👉 “Be smart, don’t start!” The message? Drugs are destroying our youth & communities, and we’ve had enough. #caxtondurban #SayNoToDrugs #SANCA #DurbanMarch #ChooseLife #SubstanceAbuseAwareness #BereaMail ♬ original sound – caxtonlocalmedia

“The march served its purpose,” said SANCA project manager Sonwabile Sithole. She said the organisation has been raising awareness throughout the month of June and decrying the scourge of substance abuse, especially among young people.

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“We chose this day to have this march because of its significance,” said Sithole. “Having it around the Musgrave area was a way of bringing it back home, spreading awareness of where we are and to also give feedback to various departments from the communities who were part of our awareness campaigns throughout June.”

The march was strongly supported by law enforcement agencies, including members from the Department of Correctional Services. Thabani Mfanafuthi Dube, head of Community Liaison for the Department of Correctional Services, said they were eager to be part of the march due the prevalence of substance abuse among inmates and those who often find themselves on the wrong side of the law.

“SANCA’s programmes and campaigns are aligned to ours. That is one of the primary mandates as the department, to fight the use of drugs in jail. We had to come and support this march and raise awareness within the community,” said Dube.

His sentiments were shared by Novuyelwa Dlamini from the eThekwini Municipality’s Area Based Service. She said, “We had to join this campaign and be part of the march because we need to keep fighting to get through to people about the dangers of substance abuse. Marches such as this raise awareness and create the right noise. United voices are much louder and stronger; we are together in this fight and are saying no to substance abuse. We do not need these in our communities; drugs are destroying our youth and communities.”

Armed with placards with messages such as “Choose sobriety, choose life” and “Be smart, don’t start”, the crowd made their intentions clear on raising awareness against the prevalence of substance abuse in eThekwini and surrounding areas.

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