To reach our goals in 2011, we need sponsors and advertisers to
BECOME PART OF THE SWELLENDAM DRUG FORUM FAMILY:
There are two ways of dealing with the increasing drug problem: Aftercare and Prevention. As there are many Organisations that treat drug patients, we as the Swellendam Drug Forum decided to concentrate on the Prevention of Drug Use and Abuse especially amongst the youth of our area. The region we are working in is about 2500sqkm in size and includes Swellendam, Railton, Buffeljagsrivier, Malgas, Suurbraak and Barrydale.
In the first year of our existence we gathered a FAMILY of local Organizations around us to be more effective: Badisa, the ACVV (Afrikaanse Christelike Vroue Vereniging), Lovelife, local SAPS, PGS Clinic and Swellendam Hospital. Furthermore local schools and churches are networking with us to reach the youth and provide volunteers to help us.
We discovered that one of the most effective ways to communicate with learners was to take them into our beautiful surroundings including Bontebok National Park, Marloth Nature Reserve, the Langeberg Mountains and Wolfkloof to teach them about the protection of Nature and their bodies. Four very successful hikes were organized in 2010 with about 40-50 kids exploring their environment at each outing.
On looking back and after getting positive feedback from kids, we found that the need for information and support is so great that we have to think and act bigger.
A four pronged attack against drug prevention in 2011 was launched:
1. ORGANISE MORE HIKES: We need to increase the number of our outings into Nature with more groups to have a bigger impact. If at all possible, each town and village (above) needs a trained organizing group. Cost is however an inhibiting factor as transport, food and drinks are provided for the kids. To facilitate 2 hikes per month over a period of 9 months in different towns at about R9 per child comes to R450 per hike, R900 per month and R8100 for the whole period.
2. TRAIN MORE COUNSELORS WHO LIVE CLOSER TO THE PROBLEM: To make information and support more easily available, younger Drug Counselors need to be trained. They must to stay in the community to serve more effectively and converse effectively not only in language but also in slang. We estimate that about R2000 per town is required to teach counselors basic information and support systems. With four towns involved, the total comes to R8000 for 2011. (The number of counselors trained, can of course be adapted to the money available).
3. CREATE AN ATTRACTIVE WEGPAGE/BLOG: (sdfsescribbles.blogspot.com, email: sdam.df@gmail.com , Cell phone Number 078 245 8707) A web page was opened and is constantly being updated to provide excellent communication open to anybody to peruse. The blog provides information about our Drug Forum Family, activities, the dangers of drugs and people who could be contacted to assist in cases of drug abuse and rehabilitation. A Facebook page was also established to generate interest and interaction. To expand our effectiveness we decided to invite businesses, organizations and individuals to become part of our effort in the following ways:
a) Any (approved) business who buys into the Hikes and/or the Training of Counselors, will become part of our Swellendam Drug Forum Family with their logo and details displayed in our Web Page.
b) Businesses, Organizations, Groups or Individuals who want their logo and information displayed on the front pages of our Web Page, are required to pay R120 for the year (2011). Anyone who wants to be displayed on the rest of the pages on the Blog becomes Supporters and pays R90 for 2011.
The presence of your logo could be a wonderful way of showing your empathy towards our cause and convince others to become part of our drive towards a 100% Drug Free environment.
4. ORGANIZE AN ANTI-DRUG EXPO AND ARTCO: To be done with our SDF Family and Supporters including SAPS. Expo contains drug info; pictures etc and Anti Drug Art Competition finalists are displayed, at a central venue with scholars visiting. Possibly the day before schools close in June. R9000+ needed to make it a reality. A Feel Good Do Good venture for a sponsor or sponsors.
OTHER PROJECTS INTENDED FOR 2011 AND BEYOND:
1. PAMPHLET DISTRIBUTION: As many learners haven’t got access to the Internet, we need to print information pamphlets specific to the Swellendam area to hand out and discuss during interaction with kids. We estimate that about R2300 is needed for this purpose for 2011. The logos of businesses supporting this venture are printed on the pamphlet.
2. A DRUG COUNSELING OFFICE: Our main aim for the future is to establish a Drug Counseling Office in Railton (Swellendam) where the need is at its greatest. The Thusong Centre could be an ideal place where drug users and families with drug problems can come to be assisted. It is of course a costly project, but we are willing to discuss the idea with anybody who could help us in this respect.
We believe that we have to and can make a positive difference to peoples’ lives by what we are doing. If you agree with us, please contact SDF.
Your attention to this matter is appreciated.
