Narconon Cape Town Drug Education
Robert van der Feyst, Executive Director Narconon Cape Town
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Cape Town has been subject to many of the same increases in drug trafficking and addiction as South Africa. When apartheid ended in the early 1990s, drug traffickers seized upon the opportunity presented by economic and business growth to establish their own channels of distribution.
Before long, distribution of cannabis, methaqualone (a sedative), heroin, cocaine and Ecstasy began to be seen in many cities. In poorer areas, crack cocaine and inhalants like glue or solvents were frequently abused. ‘
To keep this situation from spiraling completely out of control, Narconon Cape Town was founded in 1999. In the years since, staff and volunteers have tirelessly crossed the region to hand out drug education materials and address schools and youth groups. The message is always along the lines of the better life one can have by being sober. Youth are never simply directed to reject drugs, but rather, the harm that can result is explained in terms they can understand. Over decades of experience using this curriculum around the world, it has been found that when youth have knowledge about drugs, they more often make the right decision — to stay drug free. What’s more, they spread this message among their peers.
So from street fairs, beaches and auditoriums to classrooms, civic events and club meetings, Narconon drug educators carry this message. They also choose young people who want to be leaders and teach them how they can lead others to successful, sober lives. This is called “Peer Leader Training.”
After every drug prevention presentation, each attendee is offered a survey so they can express what they learned at this event. This comment from one young attendee is typical of their responses: “I just want to say thank you for talking to us. You have opened our eyes to reality.”
