Man converts house into rehab

A VOLUNTARY social worker has converted his house in Shamva into a rehabilitation centre for drug addicts.

Lancos Kuuyangepi (28) turned his eight-bedroom house into the Lancos AntiDrug Abuse Reinforcement Facility, where 22 addicts, aged between 18 and 40, are receiving help from medical professionals, fitness trainers and psychologists.

The facilitators are from Shamva District Hospital and Gold Mine Hospital, and they also include local church pastors.

The centre has been established at a time when drug and substance abuse have become a major problem throughout the country.

“Drug abuse, which was declared a national disaster by the President, has become a concern in Shamva where youngsters take crystal meth among other illicit drugs and substances.

“As a concerned resident who had a relative who used to take drugs, we realised that it was important that we do something for the people of Shamva to save the community.

“I convinced my family that we convert this place into a rehab and save residents,” he said. Lancos, who conducted a workshop on anti-drug abuse in Shamva yesterday, said he was open to partnerships with other stakeholders in his fight.

“At the moment we are not charging people for rehabilitation, but using our own resources,” said Lancos.

Lancos, who is now popular in the community for his philanthropic work, has appealed for more space to accommodate more drug addicts.

“At the moment, we are only looking after males because of space constraints.

“There are some females who have approached us for rehabilitation, but we can’t take them in due to lack of space.

“Our vision is to complement the Government in its effort to fight drug and substance abuse,” he said.

Lancos works with his older brother, Godwin, and mother in this initiative.