A recent drug awareness campaign was held at the Emeris Pietermaritzburg campus, bringing together students, counsellors, and experts from security company MI7 National Group, the South African Police Service (SAPS), and Narcotics Anonymous. The campaign, organised by Emeris Pietermaritzburg Student Wellness Specialist Sonya Nursoo and the campus student volunteer committee, Emeris Cares, aimed to educate and support students in making informed decisions about their wellbeing. The initiative encouraged a safe, healthy, and drug-free learning environment.
The campaign featured an educational exhibition by MI7 and SAPS officers, who displayed examples of different drugs and explained their potential effects on physical and mental health, as well as academic performance. This exhibition provided students with a better understanding of the risks associated with substance abuse. The campaign also covered topics such as peer pressure, alcohol and drugs at parties and nightclubs, and how young people could recognise potentially dangerous situations.
Students were given a live demonstration of drug-testing kits and shown how testing is conducted, providing insight into the detection process and legal implications surrounding substance abuse. MI7 National Group project manager Tyrone John said the campaign created an opportunity for students to discuss personal safety and situations they could encounter in social settings. The team engaged directly with the students, using a display of different types of drugs to help them better understand what these substances can look like and the risks associated with their use.
The campaign gave students the opportunity to speak candidly about their concerns and seek practical guidance from MI7 and law personnel. The engagement focused on awareness, recognising potentially dangerous situations, and being able to make safer decisions when in a social setting. John said campaigns such as these allowed MI7 to engage with young adults before emergencies occurred and share practical information about recognising risks.
Fourth-year IIE Bachelor of Education in Intermediate Phase Teaching student Kyla Jade Amod said the campaign had given her a better understanding of different drugs and their effects. She learnt about the different types of drugs and what they look like, so she knows what to look out for. Amod said it is so important to have campaigns like these because not everyone knows what these drugs look like or what they are capable of doing to you.
Damian Pandaram, a second-year IIE Bachelor of Commerce student and Emeris Cares volunteer, said he was particularly interested in the rehabilitation support available to people struggling with addiction. He found it interesting that there are rehabilitation centres available for people who were addicted and who have now found a way to break their addiction. Pandaram said the campaign reinforced the importance of bringing drug awareness initiatives onto campuses to help students understand the dangers they may encounter in society.
The campaign was a collaborative effort between Emeris Pietermaritzburg, MI7 National Group, SAPS, and Narcotics Anonymous. The event was well-received by students, who appreciated the opportunity to learn about the dangers of substance abuse and the importance of making informed decisions about their wellbeing. The campaign's organisers hope that it will have a lasting impact on the students and encourage them to make positive choices.
Key points
- The campaign provided students with a better understanding of the risks associated with substance abuse.
- The event featured an educational exhibition by MI7 and SAPS officers, who displayed examples of different drugs and explained their potential effects.
- The campaign gave students the opportunity to speak candidly about their concerns and seek practical guidance from MI7 and law personnel.
