Drug abuse a major problem
"We need to get the public to understand what drug addiction is," said Quintin Van Kerken, Chief-executive officer for the Anti-Drug Alliance.
Many awareness campaigns have been introduced since the beginning of the year but this week, the focus is on raising drug awareness.
Drug addiction affects many people and in order for the illegal substance abuse rate to decline, public awareness should be raised.
Quintin Van Kerken, Chief-executive officer for The Anti-Drug Alliance of South Africa (ADASA), said drugs are a problem in the Florida area. “I think we will see an increase in the drug abuse rate all the time but we should still educate the people in South Africa about the dangers of drugs,” he said.
The Anti-Drug Alliance is an organisation which educates the public about drugs and help them overcome their addiction.
SANCA (South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence) implemented the annual campaign, about seven years ago, to highlight the substance abuse issue in the country.
SANCA gave a few reasons on GEMS’s (Governent Employees Medical Scheme) web site why the drug abuse rate increases.
The reasons are:
1. A lack of parental supervision
2. Emotional instability
3. Family history of substance abuse
4. A desire to experiment
5. Peer pressure (fear of rejection from friends if they refuse to take drugs)
ER24 recently released a staggering infographic about drug use in the country.
If you are a recovering drug-addict or if you know of somebody who is, the ADASA is calling you to feature in a documentary that is scheduled for later this year. If you are interested, contact Quintin Van Kerken on 081-577-7715.
Want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us an SMS/ WhatsApp message with your name and cellphone number to 079 414 6709.
Familiarise yourself with our WhatsApp service disclaimer.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Randfontein Herald, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
