Tackling drug abuse as the first, vital step to accelerate social transformation and sustainable development in the South African province.
Cosmo City, South Africa, March 13, 2016 (Newswire.com) - Johannesburg community and church leaders joined social services representatives, South Africa Police Services (SAPS) social crimes prevention unit officers, correctional services staff, road traffic management personnel and volunteers from the Foundation for a Drug-Free World March 6 in a march against drug abuse and addiction in Cosmo City.
The campaign was organized by a Community Development Workers (CDW) team included Pastor Vuyani Gxagxama and ward committee member Skhumbuzo Nxumalo.
"In many cases, even the drug users have no idea what they are doing to themselves by using these substances. Often, when the full extent of the damage caused by drugs is explained to them, people decide to quit and are empowered to do so."
Shaleen Wohrnitz, Director of Public Affairs of the Church of Scientology Johannesburg
Meridian Cosmo City School students texted and tweeted about the march as they went along, inviting people to join in the movement. And the Family and Friends Motorcycle Club (MCC) added to the spectacle, loudly revving their motor bikes to call attention to the marchers as they converged on the Cosmo City Multi Purpose Center where they held their rally.
The message of the march was—everyone needs to get involved in fighting the drug abuse epidemic.
In launching his #Drugs Must Fall Movement March 4, Gauteng Premier David Makhura said “substance abuse affects everyone either directly or indirectly, and undermines efforts to accelerate social transformation and sustainable development in our communities.”
Shaleen Wohrnitz, Director of Public Affairs of the Church of Scientology Johannesburg and coordinator of the local chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, believes drug education is the key to ending drug abuse, because lacking accurate information, many people don’t know what will happen if they begin to experiment with drugs.
“In many cases, even the drug users have no idea what they are doing to themselves by using these substances,” she said. “Often, when the full extent of the damage caused by drugs is explained to them, people decide to quit and are empowered to do so.”
The Church of Scientology supports the Foundation for a Drug-Free World. Scientologists on six continents work in their communities throughout the year to empower others with the truth about drugs. The Church and its members are dedicated to eradicating drug abuse through education.
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