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NARCONON CAPE TOWN NEWS
 There are many, many wonderful people doing
stellar work in the field of drug education and prevention. For example, Robert
Van der Feyst, Executive Director Narconon Cape Town, South Africa, and his
staff have been busy with a comprehensive approach to the drug problem in their
area.
In just this past
year they have delivered drug prevention presentations to 14,523 children and
adults. That's a LOT of people getting the truth about drugs!
Early in the year
they completed the Engen drug and alcohol-free driving campaign. Engen is a
major petroleum company in South Africa with gas stations throughout the
country. The campaign consisted of drivers signing a pledge that they would not
drive under the influence and also making a donation for a Narconon-Engen
campaign sticker and drug education booklet. Half of the funds collected are
being used toward the establishment of a treatment center, as well as for other
prevention activities.
Expanding out with their prevention services, peer
leadership training was delivered to 20 students at a local high school. These
students learned how to give an in-depth drug education presentation including
how drugs affect the mind, and how a person drops in emotional tone from using
drugs.
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As many of these students knew others their age who were
already using drugs, they were also taught the basics of the Narconon First
Step drug-free withdrawal program. Not only could these peer leaders set a good
example and prevent drug use through effective education, they could now also
help those who were using drugs get off them. These peer leaders were announced
and given their certificates and badges, thus making their skills and service
known to all the students.
As the demand and need for services increases, Robert
and his staff provide Narconon life skills courses for both young people and
adults. The Narconon First Step program is offered to those needing assistance
to come off drugs, the communication and study courses are also provided as
further tools for those seeking to live a drug-free life.
Additionally, Robert has met with a member of
Parliament and presented the Narconon program to a number of other health
professionals in the Cape Town area.
All of their work and
collaboration with the community has resulted in many people reaching to
Narconon Cape Town for help. Recently a youth who read a news article came in
and is now doing the Communication Skills course. A phone call came in from a
school asking for help to handle a couple of students with drug problems. The
school is offering to provide half of the cost to service these
kids.
From broad education and prevention with school children, to
intervention programs with high risk youth, to teaching others how to help
someone through a drug-free withdrawal, the staff of Narconon Cape Town are
approaching drug abuse from all sides and really making a difference.
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