The Department of Social Development has urged students at Mthimba Campus of Ehlanzeni TVET College, near Hazyview, Mpumalanga, to take their studies seriously and stay away from drugs.
The department was addressing 300 students, mostly in first year at the TVET college, as part of its nation-wide substance abuse and gender-based violence (GBV) prevention campaign at institutions of higher learning.
The campaign aims to educate young people about the harmful effects of substance abuse and creating awareness about gender-based violence.
The campaign also aims to encourage young people to prevent and report such incidents on campus.
The interactive session included structured presentations and quizzes, which kept students actively participating in the discussions the whole time.
During her presentation on Wednesday, Motshabi Nkoane from the Department of Social Development, explained different stages of drug addiction and cautioned that drug addiction starts with experimental use of recreational drugs, while other drugs have a higher risk and cause addiction more quickly.
Students were also informed of available services to assist those suffering from substance use disorders.
“It is often said that prevention is better than cure and this is more appropriate when it comes to substance use and substance use disorders. The best thing you can do for yourselves and the sake of your health, is to completely stay away from experimenting with drugs in the first place,” Nkoane said.
The department’s ongoing substance abuse and gender-based violence prevention campaign will continue over the next two days in Mpumalanga Province, with events scheduled at the Ehlanzeni TVET College Barberton Campus and the University of Mpumalanga. – SAnews.gov.za
