Organisation creates awareness about substance abuse
Non-profit organisation Kamva Elitsha Vosloorus Community Based Services celebrated International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking by conducting a fun walk around the township on June 27.
The five-kilometre walk started at the organisation’s offices and moved through the streets of the township until back to the point of departure.
Lorraine Ntwana, a social worker at the organisation, said the purpose of the walk was to make the community aware of the dangers of substance abuse.
“The event is for the sole purpose of educating and creating awareness of the negative consequences of substance abuse and where to go in order to get help. We want the community to know walking is good for their health,” said Ntwana.
“Most of the community of Vosloorus is impoverished and are dealing with lots of social issues like substance abuse in adults and youth, teenage pregnancy, crime, domestic violence and a lot of other social ills. We are aware that substance abuse is the cause of most of the social ills that we face today,” said Ntwana.
She said it starts with people not doing anything.
“When people get bored they take drugs or have unprotected sex. As a result of this, unplanned pregnancies in teenagers and other social ills follow,” said Ntwana.
She said all this can be prevented by just taking a walk.
During the walk, the participants interacted with the community, teaching them about the dangers of substance abuse.
The organisation is based in (Heartbeat) Way Forward, 80 Thanda Street, Extention Two in Vosloorus.
They offer the following services: individual and group counselling to addicts, anti-drug campaigns, drug prevention and awareness.
