|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…
|
As the world marked International Youth Day on 12 August 2023, the Queen of Peace Institute for Community Mental Health Innovations and Rehabilitation called on young people to take charge of their health and future. The call comes at a time when the world is faced with challenges in addressing the illicit flow of drugs and substances targeting young people.
Given such challenges, it is young people who have the power to say NO and put an end to their exploitation by drug dealers.
Queen of Peace founder and Executive Director, Mrs. Stella Khumalo said drug abuse is evidently exposing young people to a number of risks.
“Today’s youth face many risks, including drug abuse. Responding to these risks before they become problems can be difficult. One of the goals of the Queen of Peace is to help the public understand the causes of drug abuse and to prevent its onset. Drug abuse has serious consequences in our homes, schools, and communities and as an organization we believe that it is young people that can put an end to the illegal flow of drugs by simply saying NO to drugs.”
A beneficiary of the Queen of Peace detoxification project added: “Drugs are bad when you want to achieve your goals. Never ruin your future with the consumption and smoking of things that will jeopardize your ambition.”
Queen of Peace Institute for Community Mental Health Innovations and Rehabilitation, is a registered private voluntary organization (PVO 28/13) founded in January 2006. Since its formation, Queen of Peace has set itself as the go-to organization on mental health and drug and substance abuse in the Midlands province, working closely with the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the Department of Social Services, and various other partners in the province. The organization offers various services that include residential rehabilitation and crisis center, addiction treatment and rehabilitation, counselling, occupational, and vocational training services.