Walk for the Sanca cause on Saturday

It’s a short walk for man, but a long road for mankind. Lifting and adapting the original quote from its context seems appropriate with reference to this Saturday’s 16th annual Sanca/Bay Watch ‘Walk Away from Drugs’ event.

The short stroll from Zululand Yacht Club to the Bay Hall and back will hardly raise a sweat for most, but only those parents and youths who have walked the rugged road of drug addiction will truly understand the cause it represents.

For some, it’s a very short road from drug experimentation or responsible alcohol use to addiction, abuse and a huge circle of suffering for many.

Saturday’s event is not a fundraiser as such, even though there is a minimal entry fee of R20 for adults and R5 for children.

The purpose is to get across the healthy alternatives to the use of so-called ‘recreational’ drugs; and also to advertise the wonderful work done by Sanca with regard to prevention, treatment and counselling in our communities.

As always, the day will be characterised by fun and enjoyment and, thanks to the solid support of local business and industry, there will be prizes on offer.

But first prize would be to know that the cream of our young people leave with the understanding that a good time can be had without alcohol and drugs.

Let us be under no illusions: the incidence of alcoholism and drug addiction among the region’s youth – and adults - is enormous.

And there is no shortage of people waiting to exploit them to take advantage of their naivety and vulnerability; nor of ‘friends’ who will entice them to start walking down the wrong road.

Sanca has built around itself a wall of solid community supporters.

Armed with knowledge and the concern of lawgivers, medical practitioners, spiritual leaders, parents, caregivers and teachers, our youth can be made more aware of – and resistant to - these temptations.

And it’s never too late to escape the hell of addiction to become fully functional and respected members of society.

The work of many groups, including Sanca, was all but forgotten during the Covid pandemic, but they soldiered on regardless.

The cost the nation bore to fight the pandemic pales into insignificance in comparison with the financial, social, psychological and emotional damage caused by substance abuse over many decades – if not centuries.

We salute this noble organisation and will continue to partner them, not just for the annual walk, but in whatever way we can throughout the year.