What do you do to focus attention on an overwhelming drug problem in your community?
Betram Macmahon from Matroosfontein decided to run 15 km every single day for 15 days straight. “The whole idea came to me when I saw how the parents of children with addictions struggle and they just don’t have the money to send them to rehabilitation. I couldn’t find any government-funded rehabilitation centres. I decided to send an email to the Department of Social Development, asking them for more government-funded rehabilitation centres.
Risings Angels
“My mom’s NGO, Bernie’s Rising Angels, takes care of kids whose parents are on drugs, and in doing this I have seen something missing. We are taking the kids away from their parents, but no-one assists these parents with their problem. Also noteworthy is that people on the streets certainly do not have money for rehabilitation, nor are they assisted by the authorities. This has a spiralling effect on crime and business.”
To raise awareness of the problem he started running from his home to Pinelands and back every day. “I hope such centres can be built in Elsies River, Mitchells Plain, Blue Downs, Khayelitsha and Kraaifontein. We also need educational programmes to help our youth. Sometimes the children end up using drugs because they see their parents using it.”
Knysna
This was not the first time Macmahon acted when he saw a need. “When the fires raged in Knysna a group of friends and I filled a truck with donated goods and sent it there. I believe if we work together and change just 10% of the community’s mindset we will win. That 10% can grow to 30% next time. The war on drugs is serious for the problem is deep-rooted, and we need to uproot it as a community. We need to give young people hope.”
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