YONECO has trained a total of 20
traditional and faith-based leaders in community sensitization and advocacy as a way of dealing with the problem of drug and alcohol abuse among young people in Mangochi district.
The training is expected to contribute towards institution and enforcement of by-laws that are aimed at supporting government’s efforts in regulating the production, sale and consumption of alcohol as well as drugs. The participants have been selected from various drug hotspot areas in the district mainly from the areas of Traditional Authority (T/A) Nankumba, Chimwala, Mponda and Jalasi in Mangochi district.
The training was conducted under Empowering Young People to fight Drug and Alcohol Abuse Project. The project is being implemented with financial support from Norwegian Church Aid (NCA).
The overall goal of the project is to reduce cases of drug and alcohol abuse among young people in Mangochi through improved SRHR services, prevention of the spread of HIV and reducing incidences of GBV cases amongst the youth. The project is targeting young people who are within the age range of 10 to 24 years of age.
YONECO has a toll-free Drug and Substance Abuse Hotline (6600) which operates 24 hours every day. The facility provides telephone counselling on drug and substance abuse as well as making necessary referrals to other service providers.
