Awareness Campaign Begins on Substance Abuse in Yei

(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – A community organisation in Yei has launched an awareness drive to reduce the use of harmful substances among young people.

Support the Needy Initiative, known as SUNI, began the campaign in Central Equatoria with a focus on students and youth groups. The aim is to improve public health, encourage responsible behaviour and build a more productive society.

SUNI Executive Director Ronald Malish said the first phase started with training youth leaders, students and community representatives. He said those trained will work in their communities to guide others and lead learning sessions.

Malish said the training covered the dangers of alcohol, opium, marijuana, cocaine and other drugs common in the area. He said the project also seeks to reduce school dropout, gender based violence and the spread of sexually transmitted infections linked to substance use.

As part of the rollout, SUNI volunteers have begun visiting schools. The first visit was to Nehemiah Secondary School where they distributed reading materials on commonly abused drugs.

Malish said the campaign is supported by Free World Africa and the Foundation for Drug Free World International. He said their activities will reach schools, associations, public meetings and communities in Yei and neighbouring counties.

One of the participants, Edward Taban, said the initiative is welcome and long overdue. He said many pupils in Yei have left school due to drug use and peer influence. He hopes the programme will help them return to class and prevent further loss of education opportunities.

County Youth Empowered to Tackle Drug Issues