Combating Drug Abuse
Uganda | Combating Drug Abuse - Voice of the Youth | 2024
Hello!
We are Voice of the Youth, a passionate group working to tackle substance abuse among young people in Uganda. In 2024, we launched A Healthy Mind, a campaign to educate, engage, and empower youth to make informed choices, resist peer pressure, and break free from drug addiction. Our mission? To create a mindful, drug-free society where young people can thrive mentally, physically, and socially.
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18 to 25 years old
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The Right-Sized Problem
Substance and drug abuse among young people in Kakiri Subcounty is a growing concern, leading to school dropouts, unemployment, and health issues. Many youth are pressured into drug use due to peer influence, stress, and lack of awareness. Without education, community action, and support systems, drug abuse will continue to destroy young lives and limit their potential.
What did we do?
Through community outreach, school programs, and creative advocacy, we directly reached thousands of young people, parents, and local leaders.
Offline Impact
📢 Community Audio Towers (Public Announcements) – Used local audio towers to spread anti-drug abuse messages, reaching youth and adults in markets, schools, and public spaces.
🏫 School & Church Outreaches – Conducted awareness sessions in multiple schools and churches, educating young people on drug abuse risks and coping strategies.
🛍️ Market Outreach Programs – Engaged young people working in markets, addressing peer pressure and providing alternatives to drug use.
⚽ Sports Gala – Hosted a multi-team sports tournament, using football as a tool to bring youth together in a positive, drug-free environment.
Online & Media Impact
📱 Social Media Awareness – Used Facebook and WhatsApp to share updates and anti-drug messages.
📢 Community Radio Announcements – Broadcast substance abuse awareness content, ensuring wider community engagement.
Campaign Impact
1,746 individuals directly reached through school, church, and market outreach.
Increased awareness about drug abuse prevention among youth and parents.
Community audio messages led to behavioral changes, with some youth quitting drug use.
Strengthened team spirit and leadership skills among campaign members.
Formation of mental health clubs in schools to sustain the conversation on drug abuse prevention.
One of the most powerful success stories came from a young participant at a market outreach who shared how radio messages inspired him to break free from peer pressure. His transformation led him to become a mentor to other youth, fostering a support network that continues to grow.
What’s Next?
We are expanding our fight against drug abuse by:
📌 Training more youth leaders to run school-based mental health clubs.
📌 Developing structured mentorship programs for drug abuse survivors.
📌 Strengthening collaborations with local leaders and health professionals.
