Know Your Local Organisation: WordOnTheStreet

Know Your Local NGOs is an initiative of Express that attempts to bridge the gap that might exist between the community, corporates and organisations.

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The aim is to make organisations that continuously make a difference in the community known to the public.

These organisations include NPOs, NGOs and NPCs.

This week, we feature WordOnTheStreet Anti-Drug and Substance Abuse, which was established in 2019.

“As a country, we are faced with a serious drug and substance abuse problem across all boards. As an ex-addict who’s walked the path, I decided to open an organisation that assists with the eradication of this deadly disease,” said Itumeleng Selepe, founder of WordOnTheStreet.

What does the organisation do?

“We do interventions with individuals who require help but aren’t willing to rehabilitate. We assist in placing individuals in rehabilitation programmes suited for their condition and substance/s they consume,” said Selepe.

“We run online educational programmes and also give motivational talks to teenagers and adults at churches and schools. Our main aim is to ultimately eradicate and educate individuals on the dangers of substance abuse through live testimonials.”

Where is it based?
“We are based in the whole of South Africa, meaning where we are needed, we are there. But the organisation was initially formed in Gauteng.”

Who is the organisation targeted at and who does it aim to help?
“Anyone who might be suffering from substance abuse. Primarily, we target the users, but we also help those who are affected indirectly (people close to the addict) with the aim of helping both parties heal and move forward.”

What are some of your ongoing operations/campaigns/outreach programmes?

“We are busy with substance and drug awareness on different types of media platforms, including TV, newspapers and social media. We are also looking at working more with schools, as the usage of drugs and substance abuse has sky-rocketed amongst teenagers.”

What are some of the prominent challenges faced by the organisation?
“Funding for day-to-day running of the organisation and funds to assist parents and individuals who can’t afford rehabilitation.”

What are the organisation’s needs?
“We are in serious need of funds. Unfortunately, some parents can’t afford expenses, so this can definitely help in placing them in institutions, as our government institutions are fully booked and the waiting lists are long.

Clothes, we are in constant need of this as addicts sell everything. Food parcels, fuel allowance as I travel quite extensively across the country. Data and airtime, branding material such as backdrops and flyers for when we do community and school outreaches. We also need psychologists to assist with outpatients and aftercare programmes. Building materials to build extra rooms to accommodate more individuals.”

How has Covid-19, regulations and restrictions and lockdown impacted the organisation?
“The organisation was running smoothly and on route to finally getting some much-needed funding then the pandemic hit and most companies that had pledged could no longer afford to anymore. Unfortunately, substance abuse doesn’t stop during this time. It actually increased because stress levels went up among families due to the deaths and job losses among other things. Funds could come in handy with helping to eradicate and rehabilitate more addicts and build better institutions.”

Contact details:
Itumeleng Selepe: 078 212 0113. Facebook: Wordonthestreet Anti Drug and Substance Abuse, Twitter: @ItumelengSele@16.

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