By BOITUMELO BOWENI
30 August 2025- The National Department of Social Development alongside their North West counterparts and some representatives from various NPOs embarked on an anti-drug overdose awareness campaign at Khuma Township, in Stilfontein as part of the observance of the International Overdose Awareness Day.
Commemorated annually on the last day of August, International Overdose Awareness Day aims to raise awareness on the use, abuse and overdose of illicit substances and to reduce the stigma attached to the victims and their families.
This year the annual anti-drug overdose is being commemorated under the theme : ‘One Big Family Driven By Hope.’
Addressing the residents at Philemon Masinga Stadium, Social Work Supervisor, Malefo Modipa at Matlosana Service Point highlighted that the Department of Social Development is readily available to assist individuals and families with rehabilitation processes.
“We have ward social workers who conduct frequent school and house visits to raise awareness on the dangers of substance abuse. We provide intervention and counselling services to families that require assistance in reconciling their relationships affected by the use of drugs.
“Treatment Centres situated in Potchefstroom and Taung respectively, serve as a rehabilitation centre for individuals that wish to be rehabilitated from drug use,” she said.
Modipa further said the focus on Khuma Township emanates from concerns raised by community members about various groups who indulge in substances. She added that some of the concerns raised by community members included Gender-Based Violence (GBV), high rate of crime, continuous harassment by zama zamas, teenage pregnancy, with substance abuse and unemployment leading the pack.
“Common drugs used in the area include marijuana, spirits, glue, alcohol, cigarette, matompo, crystal meth and chiff (home-made vape) with young people being at the forefront of the use of those substances,” said Modipa.
According to community members, the surge of the use and abuse of substance abuse has become a phenomenon, which not only affects families and communities but contributes to other social problems citing that the use of substances is mainly attributed to the need to escape reality, lack of employment and recreational activities, stress relief and peer pressure.
National DSD Substance Abuse and CDA programme, Faith Namathe said drugs are regarded to be for recreational and medical use which have a temporary effect on the physical and mental well-being of an individual.
“Addiction and overdose, starts with either a single sip of alcohol or puff of cigarette. Once in the system, your body adapts to that substance which then leads to frequent usage of that drug.
“You fail to function normally without the drug in your system, and eventually develop an addiction. Once addicted, you misuse the drug which then leads to an overdose,” she said.
Namathe emphasised that the key message “Ke Moja” is to live a drug free life. She said individuals are encouraged to live without the use of drugs.
“Addressing drug overdose and usage, requires the involvement and active participation of various stakeholders including, government departments, Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), community members, Local Drug Action Committee members.
“These are change agents to advocate and build awareness on drug overdose. South African Police Services, SANPARK, North West Department of Health, Muslim Aids Programme and Restoring Youth Dignity joined social development officials in raising awareness on drug overdose,” said Namathe.
The Guardian 