Think Smart! Striving for a drug free society

Transcription

1 Volume 2, Issue 3 May/June 2015 Think Smart! Striving for a drug free society A N T I - D R U G F O R U M M a y / J u n e World No Tobacco Day 31st May 2015 A W O R D F R O M S A M P I L L A Y - Most people start smoking while they are in their teens and are addicted by the time they reach adulthood. Some have tried to quit but they have returned to cigarettes because smoking is such a strong addiction, it is a habit that is very difficult to break There are many different reason why people smoke. Peer pressure is usually the most common reason for teens to start smoking. Most young adults allow themselves to be pressured into smoking to experience the social rewards that they think come with the habit such as fitting in, Popularity and fame or having the Bad Boy/Bad Girl Image. They see themselves as Risk- Takers. The thrill of breaking the rules and going against authority figures makes them feel grown up and mature. Parental Influence is also a major factor and those who have parents that smoke are more likely to start smoking than those that don t. Some teens say that they just want to try it or they thought is was cool to smoke, but the most common remark is My parents do it so why cant I. The media also tends to play a pivotal role in changing the minds of teenagers. Celebrities are idolised and many teens want to be just like them. If their role models smoke, He/she is most likely to follow suit. Many teenagers are faced with difficult circumstances in our communities and turn to smoking as a stress reliever. World No tobacco day is a world wide initiative in aid of the prevention and awareness of tobacco usage/cigarette smoking. The ADF has been running programs in both primary and Secondary schools with their SMART Clubs in order to create awareness surrounding this campaign. As we celebrate our 10 years of service this year, I have many reasons to be excited about the ADF. The staff and volunteers are doing some amazing work in the schools and the community. We are incorporating new innovative ideas to get the to do the right thing message across. It was really heart warming to see learners of all ages really excited with their program, including songs, dances, speeches and plays. We are proud of the many schools that are taking the solving of the social ills issues seriously. Many schools have had inspiring and heart warming programs depicting not only substance abuse but other social ills as well. We are certain that those participating would certainly understand addiction and the chances of them being caught up in the drug world is remote. It is extremely disappointing as well because some principals are not taking this seriously indicating that they do not have the time We believe that it is important to encourage learners to do positive activities rather than say don t do this We must create the opportunity for learners, from experience it is quite clear that leaners are looking forward to doing something different. It is not time consuming. Every school should be a part of the SMART club family. We are amazed by the growing numbers and look forward to seeing more! You are never too young to make a difference and that s what the SMART Club is all about!

2 P a g e 2 T h i n k S m a r t!. Event updates Mothers Day Program: The Anti-Drug Forum spent their mothers day assisting PnP Chatsworth with their mothers day program on 11 May 2015, 10 Mothers from the Croftdene Senior Citizens group were treated to meals, Snacks and tea s and a mini Bhangra. Prizes and gift packs sponsored by PnP Chatsworth were awarded to the Mothers. It was a beautiful day of fun and celebration with these deserving woman. We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to Romans pizza for their sponsorship of meals. Freedom Day Program In commemoration of Freedom Day which was on 27th April, The ADF celebrated by conducting uplifting freedom day programs in conjunction with their schools and also conducted a Freedom Day program at the Refugee camp in the Unit 3B Grounds. At the grounds the children were treated to fun, stimulating and motivational activities, thereafter the residents of the camp we treated to meals sponsored by the The Queensburgh Islamic Society. Refugee Camps Programs: The Facilitators of the ADF have been conducting activity based and play activities on a continuous basis with the children at the grounds. These activities include exercises, English building games, educational activities, and motivational / Self esteem building activities. School Survivors Campaign! Holiday Program to be run in conjunction with Chatsworth Centre! There will Cash prizes up for grabs tot hose who attend!!! Contact your respective facilitator for more information.

3 P a g e 3 T h i n k S m a r t! SMART CLUB LEARNERS CHANGING THE COMMUNITY! SMART Club Forum: The Anti-Drug Forum conducted Their first SMART Club Forum Meeting on 23 May 2015 Schools that came through gave updates on the activities and programs being run in their schools and were given guidelines for improvement. The schools also worked as a team to put together a program for Mandela day this year. Well done to these SMART Clubs and the great work and passion they have been putting into their programs and awareness campaigns in order to educate their peers! You are making a difference! Anti-Xenophobia Campaign: The Anti-Xenophobia Campaign initiative was run by facilitators and SMART clubs in schools in and around Chatsworth in order to create awareness and understanding surrounding the issue in our community. As many learners from Chatsworth schools were forced to remain out of schools and stay in refugee camps we felt it imperative to sought awareness, understanding, compassion and assistance amongst the learners for their fellow peers! The Campaign was a huge success and ran from April till May 2015, The schools participated by conducting special assemblies, collection drives, letters of hope to their peers and also teamed up with the Art of Living and conducted Meditation and Peace Prayers within their schools for the Art of Living IMeditate Peace in Africa Campaign.

4 Anti-Drug Forum celebrating ten years of Service and commemorating International Day against Substance Abuse and Illicit Trafficking! On 26 June The Anti-Drug Forum will be hosting an immaculate event in commemoration o both the International day against substance abuse and illicit trafficking as well as their 10th year anniversary! The ADF was established in 2005 at the Nelson Mandela Chatsworth Youth Centre after a Public meeting was held to discuss the problem of substance abuse in the area. The Anti-Drug Forum was formed and its ideal of Striving for a drug free community has been passionately worked towards ever since, with each step we are getting closer to our goal. From Community based events to programs in schools we are determined to make the community aware and give them the knowledge against the dangers of substance abuse and the consequences of substance abuse that surrounds them. Our recent initiative and main model this year has been the Save the Children Campaign In which we have incorporated stimulating and interactive awareness and prevention programs and activities that are being run both at our school and centre as well as the fast growing and amazing concept of our SMART Clubs. We would like to thank all those you have supported us and assisted us in any way in the past ten years as we look forward to many more years of striving for a drug free society!

5 FINF US ON FACEBOOK!! ANTI-DRUG FORUM SOUTH AFRICA A N T I - D R U G F O R U M The Anti-drug forum 17 Trisula Avenue, Arena Park, Chatsworth Phone: sampillay7@yahoo.com / antidrugforumsa@gmail.com Website: 'striving for a drug free society' The ADF was established in April 2005 at the Chatsworth Youth Centre after a public meeting was held to discuss the problem of substance abuse in the area. Striving for a Drug Free Society was the main objective. The main areas of work include education and awareness, rehabilitation and reducing drug supply. OUR SERVICES Free counselling assessment and referrals Network with affordable highly effective clinics Relapse prevention and anti craving medication Information sharing Education and awareness in communities and schools Drug testing at minimal price Free support group meetings. Our banking Details: Name of account : anti-drug forum Bank: Standard Bank Acc No: Branch: Chatsworth Branch Code: Please feel free to contact us if you wish to assist in any way!! DID YOU KNOW There is no cookie cutter heroin user. In fact, many of heroin s newest addicts are in their teens or early 20s; many also come from middle- or upper-middle-class suburban families. Tolerance to heroin develops with regular use, so after a short time more heroin is needed to produce the same level of intensity. This results in addiction. Health risks to using heroin include: Fatal overdose, High risk of infections such as HIV/AIDS, Collapsed veins, Infection of the heart lining and valves, Liver disease. Just one hit can have you hooked for life! Be Smart, Don t Start