WINDHOEK-A group of third year University of Namibia (Unam)’s social work students hosted Teenagers against Drugs, Alcohol and HIV (TADAH) day at the Immanuel Shifidi Secondary School recently to raise awareness and empower the learners to be assertive and responsible citizen in choice making on drug usage and other related issues.
One of the facilitators, Clemenciah Tjiramba, says the outreach is part of the third year module to do community work which is to plan and implement an awareness programme on TADAH. She adds that the abuse of alcohol during school hours and high rate of teenage pregnancy has been reported at the school due to peer pressure as well and the environment of the school that has a high influence. Therefore the awareness day offered an opportunity to awaken the minds of the learners who engage in drinking. “Most learners abuse alcohol without knowing that it can ruin their future and some parents send their children to sell alcohol at a very young age, which is very dangerous. We want to make them aware of what they are getting themselves into and how it can affect them later on,” says Tjiramba.
The outreach started in March and has drawn up its plan of action assessing the learner’s individually, and as the whole group to understand their problem related to the use of alcohol and drugs. “This really opened a lot of eyes, many learners now know more, I hope they will make use of what they heard and saw. I don’t do alcohol and drugs because one night of fun can change your life and focus in school, let’s abstain please.” Says learner Norberth August.
Learners of the school also shared various posters with their fellows related to TADAH in the school hall, showing the danger of the different substances.
By Selma Neshiko