KNYSNA NEWS - The People Against Substance Abuse campaign recently reached various schools in the greater Knysna area.
The school visits conducted by Freddy Trout, managing director of People Against Substance Abuse, and his brother Wayne Windvoël, are planned to ensure that school pupils change their perspectives towards life, the use of drugs and the consequences of becoming addicted.
The organisers of the school visits use different approaches to primary and secondary schools.

"I allow my brother, Windvoël to share with children his experiences with drugs over a ten-year period of addiction, because younger children relate to him much better. He doesn’t however share all the events with them as youngsters become very curious and therefore we don’t want to give them the wrong impression about drug abuse," explains Trout.
Trout addresses the high school learners about the implications of drug abuse for oneself and one’s family, with reference to his traumatic drug addiction experiences in the past.

Trout and Windvoël’s powerful messages encourage learners never to try out drugs for the first time, as it is extremely dangerous physically, as well as jeopardising their hopes and dreams for the future.

The brothers do not simply educate youths about substance abuse, but use their own stories as a way to change their perspectives. They also create opportunities for fun and interactive learning about the ills of succumbing to drugs.
At the conclusion of their visits to primary schools, learners are encouraged to practice how to say no to drugs in an assertive manner. The learners are urged to shout and make lots of noise, while placing their hands on their heads.
People Against Substance Abuse is registered as a non-profit organisation, and is totally dependent on donations from businesses and private individuals. They visit schools as far as East London, small places on the West Coast and a few areas in Cape Town. The organisation is based in George.

For more information about the organisation’s activities, follow People Against Substance Abuse on Facebook, or call Freddy Trout on 044 871 3724.


Ruigtevlei Primary School learners were recently visited by People Against Substance Abuse. Here the learners are being taught how to say no to drug sellers by placing their hands on their heads while shouting, "No, leave me alone!".