Mahikeng-North West Department of Social Development’s month long campaign on substance abuse will assist many young people who are on drugs, Departmental Substance Abuse coordinator Mfana Tsotetsi said at the campaign held in Mafikeng taxi rank on Friday.

“Our main target group in these campaigns are young people. We call on all youth especially those who indulge in drugs to get early assistance from the department. These include counselling, rehabilitation services which is paid for, by our department,” Tsotetsi said.

He added: “We are undertaking these campaigns in partnership with the police, Local Drug Action Commitee, the municipalities and government departments. We will take similar campaigns to Dr Kenneth Kaunda, Bojanala and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati districts in the next three weeks.”

Hundreds of officials and members of the public carried placards written “Ke Moja” (I am fine without drugs) sang anti-drug songs at Bradford Park long distance taxi rank in Mafikeng to demonstrate their stance against substance abuse.

An ex-drug addict Paul Mokwele from Itsoseng was among the marchers who participated in a motorcade that headed to the taxi rank. Mokwele 44, a father of one, said he was once hellbent in alcohol and has decided to quit the habit after he voluntarily spent a month at San Park rehabilitation centre in Matlosana. 

“I urge my friends who are still taking drugs to quit the habit before it is too late. They must think about the future of their children and the people they love around them,” Mokwele said.

According to the data contained in the revised National Drug Master Plan for 2013-2017 substantial proportions of South Africans consume alcohol and those who do, tend to drink comparatively high volumes, especially during weekends.-TDN

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