In a strong push to promote student wellness and safety, the Directorate of Health and Wellness (Pretoria Campus), in collaboration with Student Governance and Leadership Development (SGLD) and the Campus Student Representative Council, recently hosted an impactful awareness campaign focused on drug and substance abuse prevention.
The initiative, Alcohol, Drugs, and Substance Abuse Activation, aimed to educate and inform students about the dangers of substance abuse while encouraging them to make healthier lifestyle choices. The campaign also sought to dispel myths around substance use and equip students with the knowledge to recognize and avoid harmful substances.
Kholofelo Mawela, HIV/AIDS and Programmes Coordinator, emphasised the importance of preventative education. “Our goal is to keep students informed about the benefits of maintaining a healthy body free from addictive substances. We also want to alert them to the risks of seemingly harmless habits, such as cigarette smoking, which can sometimes be a gateway to more serious drug use,” he said.
Mawela warned that substance abuse often begins subtly and can escalate quickly, impacting not just students’ academic performance, but also their personal lives and relationships.
“Many people don’t realise that what they’re using may already contain harmful drugs. By the time they recognise the danger, the addiction may already have taken hold,” he said.
Several external organisations participated in the event, setting up informational stalls to engage with students. These included the Department of Social Development, Tshwane Metro Police Social Crimes Prevention Unit, SANCA, COSUP, Thandanani Drop-In Centre, Tshwane Multisectoral AIDS Management Unit and the Tshwane Substance Abuse Unit. Representatives from each group provided valuable insights into their services and how they assist individuals battling addiction or seeking rehabilitation, especially those with limited resources.
Each organisation also delivered presentations outlining the psychological, social and physical dangers associated with drug and substance abuse, reinforcing the event’s core message: prevention is better than cure.
Students were strongly encouraged to seek help through the Health and Wellness Centres available at all TUT campuses. These centres offer support for students wishing to quit harmful substances and provide pathways to safe and effective rehabilitation.
The event concluded with a unified call to action to students - stay informed, stay healthy and stay substance-free!
Large numbers of students attended the initiative, Alcohol, Drugs, and Substance Abuse Activation, aimed to educate and inform students about the dangers of substance abuse.