#Drugsmustfall campaign continued at east schools
The prevention message focused on early intervention, awareness, counselling and the referral of addicts to rehab centres.
Thandanani Drop Inn Centre and the social development department continued their anti-drugs campaign at Mamelodi schools last week.
The #Drugsmustfall campaign organisers visited Legora Primary School in the far east of Mamelodi to talk to Grade 7 learners about the dangers of using drugs and substance abuse on Friday.
Thabo Kgotsi of Thandanani said the aim of the visits to local primary and secondary schools was to dissuade learners from taking drugs and drinking.
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He said Thandanani was invited to come talk to the learners by teachers, and they aimed to visit all 73 schools in Mamelodi eventually.
He said the prevention message focused on early intervention, awareness, counselling and the referral of addicts to rehab centres.
He said anti-drug abuse ambassadors Hlompho Chiloane and Eliphus Block talked to the learners about addiction and other risk behaviours, encouraged them to love themselves enough to never do drugs and helping addicted friends.
“Chiloane and Block shared their stories of how using drugs nearly destroyed their lives and how drug abuse often led to other criminal activities that could result in one ending up in jail.”
Francisco Shabalala, from the department of social development, advised learners to participate in different sport and stay away from cigarettes – “the gateway to drugs”.
Grade 7 teacher Kagiso Mokoena said they invited Thandanani because they noticed boys smoking cigarettes at school.
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She said prevention was better than cure and hoped that these talks would help learners make the right decision about their lives.
The learners were given information pamphlets on drugs and substance abuse.
Kgotsi said his Mamelodi East, Section SNS-based non-profit organisation was founded to help keep the youth and children of Mamelodi busy away from drugs and crime.
“The centre is open from Monday to Saturday.”
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