Speaking at a recent awareness seminar organised by the Botshabelo West Seventh-day Adventist Church in Maun, coordinator of the church’s health ministries department and nurse at Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital Ms Kiana Letswee said triumphing against substance abuse required a shared responsibility hence the church had stepped up its efforts to help address the societal ill.

 “Support for those who need help can be done even by protecting the youth and communities to have a safer and healthier society,” she said.

Ms Letswee urged communities to recognise early warning signs of addiction and intervene before experimentation developed into long-term dependency, warning that delayed action often worsened outcomes for individuals and families.

Psychiatrist at Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital, Dr Arturo Hernandez reinforced the medical reality of addiction, describing drugs as substances that altered brain function, affecting behaviour, judgement, and emotional regulation.

He warned that addiction often developed gradually and silently, making it difficult for individuals to recognise the severity of their dependence until their daily functioning was affected.

He further highlighted the broader socio-economic impact of substance abuse, noting that a significant proportion of hospital admissions were linked to drug use, placing additional pressure on an already strained health system. “Some drugs are legal and others are not, but ultimately they all affect the human body,” Dr Hernandez said.

Ms Margaret Morapedi, a psychiatric nurse at Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital, explained that substance abuse was closely linked to mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, mood instability, and in severe cases, psychosis and suicidal thoughts.

She emphasised that addiction affected not only physical health but also emotional stability, relationships and decision-making capacity.

Ms Morapedi said recovery was possible but required early intervention, professional support and sustained commitment.

She outlined rehabilitation as a gradual process involving medical assessment, counselling, and the development of coping mechanisms that help individuals rebuild their lives.

“Rehabilitation is a period of rebuilding,” she said, noting that individuals must learn new life skills and strategies to avoid relapse triggers.

She further highlighted the importance of counselling, peer support groups, family involvement, and spiritual guidance as critical pillars in recovery.

Social worker at Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital, Mr Thapologang Qhau emphasised that family support often determined whether recovery efforts succeeded or faild, noting that stigma and rejection frequently pushed individuals deeper into addiction.

He called for compassion-based responses rather than judgement, urging families to become active partners in rehabilitation journeys.

Mr Qhau also drew attention to the wider social consequences of substance abuse, including domestic conflict, financial instability and weakened community cohesion.

He encouraged residents to take collective responsibility in addressing the problem, describing community members as ambassadors against substance abuse within their own homes and social spaces.

Furthermore, Mr Qhau called for sustained awareness, early intervention, and stronger community engagement in tackling substance abuse, a challenge he said could only be overcome through unity, education, and consistent support systems.ENDS