07 Apr 2016

Letlhapisa Le Lengwe Substance Abuse Support Group has become a beacon of hope in an era where substance abuse destroys young people’s dreams and deprive them of their happiness. 

In an interview recently, Letlhapisa chairperson, Ms Tebogo Motsumi said the group aimed at restoring hope to those lost to substance and drug abuse. 

She said their organisation was formed in Ramotswa last year after learning that drug abuse was not going down.  

Ms Motsumi said lives of young people were shattered and put the blame on parents who sold drugs to children. 

She said the group’s main focus included transforming the youth from addiction to substance abuse and help them believe in themselves. 

Ms Motsumi said they also promoted positive behaviour through forming and supporting sporting activities that kept victims busy. 

Nonetheless, Ms Motsumi expressed concern that as a non-profit making organisation, they encountered lots of setbacks due to lack of funding. 

“It is a challenge for us to meet our needs, people are not willing to volunteer, they want to be paid,” she said. 

She lamented that it was disheartening to watch helplessly homes being broken apart and young people’s dreams shattered due to excessive alcohol abuse. 

Ms Motsumi said they intended to empower  individuals and families on substance abuse through workshops. 

The chairperson also appreciated the good results they got from their work despite that the organisation had just started operation. 

“Some former drug addicts are grateful for the transformation we did in their lives,” she said. 

Ms Motsumi said love and passion were the driving forces behind her work and wished young people could come forward and change for the better. Ends