SAAM THROUGH THE YEARS

Substance Abuse Awareness Month (SAAM) is a month dedicated to increasing public awareness and understanding on substance use disorders since 2012.

The main objectives of SAAM are to reduce stigma and encourage local communities to focus on substance use related issues. Although throughout the year BOSASNET generates awareness around substance abuse using media and outreaches, SAAM has been chosen to intensify awareness and to focus on specific themes and target groups. Over the years SAAM has proven to be an effective public awareness initiative contributing to an increased access to outpatient rehabilitation programme services. After each SAAM activity we have increased numbers of clients either showing up at the centre or enquiring about the service. This shows the impact generated by the intensified awareness activities. This year SAAM 2020 took the theme Better Knowledge for Better Care, which was adopted from International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking theme of the same year. However due to the COVID 19 challenges SAAM 2020 did not happen during the month of August as is the norm. Moreover, the communal events that have come to be standard during SAAM such as an awareness walk could not take place this year. In response to the COVID 19 restrictions and lockdowns, SAAM was moved to the month of November 2020 and virtual activities were carried out in order to continue with information dissemination. These took the form of a panel discussion; an edutainment video through a comedian on social media; live reads on all radio stations; and educational videos by BOSASNET Addiction Professionals on Facebook; and all these were sponsored by the First National Bank Botswana Foundation making it possible to educate the nation amidst challenges of COVD-19.