Drug awareness campaign in the east
Almost all the stakeholders were available and they had only had one mission - to address the issue of drugs at schools.
Mamelodi school children have been encouraged to stay away from drugs.
They were told this by different stakeholders and the police during a drug awareness campaign last week Thursday.
The event was organised by the Women’s Network and Men for Change structures within the Pretoria SAPS head offices.
Different stakeholders in Mamelodi, especially those dealing with drugs, attended the event.
It started with a march from the Mamelodi West community hall with the main event held at the Central sports ground.
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School children participated in the march.
Mamelodi police spokesperson, Captain Johannes Maheso, described the drug awareness campaign as a success.
Almost all the stakeholders were available and they had only one mission – to address the issue of drugs at schools, he said.
“The SAPS brass band paraded in the community with local school children holding placards spreading the message against drugs and substance abuse to the community,” he said.
“We have noticed the issue of drugs is affecting mostly the youth and school children.
“The campaign will be an ongoing programme because we want to spread the message to everyone and encourage the school children to speak or report anyone dealing with drugs in the community.”
Musa Dolo, a correctional services ambassador who is on parole after serving 13 years in jail, was the guest speaker of the day.
His advice to the school learners was that they must always listen to their parents, not disobey them.
“Life in prison is not an easy life. Most of the youth think it’s an easy life,” Dolo said.
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“There is a lot of gangsterism in prison and they will end recommit crime while they are serving, adding to their sentences.”
He said statistics had revealed that Mamelodi had a huge drug problem and the community needed to stand up and commit themselves in fighting against drugs.
Dolo said once you start taking drugs it would lead you to committing crimes and eventually you will end up in prison.
He advised school children to wake up and choose friends wisely, obey their parents and participate in sport.
Thabo Kgotsi of Thandanani Drop Inn Centre in Mamelodi said prevention was better than cure.
Kgotsi said more programmes at school were needed.
“We offer parental workshops that deal with drugs and we also help them with referrals to rehab centres.”
He also said they had integration programmes that would help former drug addicts not to relapse.
The event ended with school children and the police handing out pamphlets to the community.
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