Opportunity to build bridges
Drug use
Like many communities in South Africa, Mokopane faces numerous challenges that could be addressed by the faith community (the local church). The challenge I would like to highlight for this discussion is drug use. Not only raising awareness of the dangers associated with drug abuse, but offering help to those who are in addiction. Drugs are substances that change a person’s mental or physical state. They can affect the way one’s brain works and how they feel and behave. This can make someone become unpredictable and dangerous. The problem with drug and substance abuse is that it affects not only the person actually taking them, but families, communities, churches, and the nation as a whole.
The church can help in the rehabilitation of drug addicts by enabling them to find meaning and direction and purpose in life. By promoting spirituality as a way of combating drug and substance abuse among young people, through various programs. This can reduce the likelihood of drug and substance abuse. The church can provide counselling and support services to young people struggling with addiction through awareness campaigns, workshops, to mention a few activities. This becomes a bridge builder when the church begins to involve partnering with the local government, non-profit organisations and other community groups to expand access to prevention and treatment services