Yoneco hailed for fighting drug, alcohol abuse

Norwegian-based non-governmental organisation Forut has commended YouthNet and Counselling Organisation (Yoneco) for fighting drug and alcohol abuse among youths in Mangochi District.

Speaking on Thursday at Chiponde Health Centre when Yoneco took the donors to meet the community members to appreciate the interventions, Forut secretary general Ida Oleanna Hagen said the initiative transformed the youth in the district.

She said: “I am happy to see the youth giving testimonies that they stopped smoking chamba and drinking alcohol excessively, courtesy of this project.

“I am also happy to hear from the people that the youth, who were once causing trouble in the communities are now committed to doing various development projects.”

Hagen asked the youth to refrain from drugs and alcohol, saying substance abuse can ruin their future.

“Drug and alcohol abuse is a risky behaviour because it can lead to teenage pregnancies, early marriages, increased domestic violence, among others,” she said.

Mangochi Police Station officer Lexon Mzunga also hailed the project.

“At first in a month, we used to register four criminal cases out of 10 involving youths, but through the intervention, we register no cases,” he said.

Yoneco executive director MacBain Mkandawire pledged to continue implementing initiatives to change the youth to embrace good behaviour.

“When we launched the project, many youths were indulging in risky behavior, including abusing substances. But the initiative has empowered the youth to become productive citizens,” he said.

One of the youths, Thandi Njuzi from Nkando Village, Traditional Authority Katuli said they were abusing drugs and alcohol because they did not know.

“But we are now agents of change. We will continue to engage our fellow friends to stay away from drugs and alcohol,” he said.

Forut supports Yoneco through Norwegian Church Aid and DanChurchAid.