Several events were held to celebrate the youth of 1976, empower the youth of today and to commemorate the United Nations’ (UN) International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which falls on June 26.
Representatives from the different stakeholders visited several communities and raised awareness about drugs.
The events featured motivational speakers, entertainment and other activities.
Special guest speakers, including rehabilitated drug addicts and offenders from the Boksburg Prison, shared information about substance abuse and local organisations involved in drug abuse prevention and recovery.
Speakers attributed the problem of crime in the different communities, such as theft and residential burglaries, to substance abuse.
“Sometimes users keep stealing from the community and their families in order to maintain their drug habit,” said one of the speakers, who wishes to remain anonymous, during one of the events held in Delmore, on Tuesday, June 24.
Volunteers distributed awareness material to people who attended the events.
“The youth must not stand in the streets, use drugs, smoke nyaope and drink alcohol. They must prioritise education, use the resources made available to them and to better their lives,” said Ben Radingwane, a motivational speaker and a rehabilitated former drug addict.
Mahetsa, who is serving a sentence at the Boksburg prison for robbery, blames his horrible past on drugs and ignorance.
– @FanieBoksburg
