Learners at a Devon school heard on 20 February that drugs are a one-way road to failure.

Zikhethele High School is in a rural area 40km from Springs, near Gauteng’s border with Mpumalanga. As with all out-of-the way places, residents do not have access to the same services as urban dwellers do. Given their relative isolation, learners of the school welcomed the recent visit by Wedge Gardens rehabilitation centre social worker Rhulani Khoza and a patient, who cannot be named for privacy reasons. The campaign was co-ordinated by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Though often perceived to be a problem of the inner city, substance abuse is just as prevalent in rural areas.

Rhulani drew the attention of the audience – comprised of both learners and community members – with his lively speaking style while the patient, with his first-hand experiences of addiction, filled the role of programme director.

“Do not stop dreaming; it is your birth right and it comes without limitations,” said Rhulani.

He encouraged people to find their purpose. “Once you have found your purpose, you need to stick with it… it is a bit reaching a destination. If you are headed for Durban, you need to stay on the N3 to reach your destination. You cannot take the N1 to Limpopo, no matter how convinced you are that you will eventually reach Durban.

“The same applies with fulfilling your purpose and reaching your dreams – you can’t do drugs and hope to progress at school or have a successful career.”

Wedge Gardens is based in Johannesburg and can be reached at 011 430 0320.