GEORGE NEWS - People Against Substance Abuse (Pasa) is running an online Change for Hope campaign on the GivenGain platform to collect funds to help drug addicts living on the street get off the street, and rehabilitated.
"We have decided to go this route since the authorities refuse to give us permission to do street collections that we were allowed previously," says Pasa founder Freddy Trout.
"Nobody else is doing anything to remove drug addicts and street children from street intersections on a daily basis. Residents of George also refuse to stop feeding these people's habits and in this way they are fuelling crime."
Since its launch in 2018, the Change for Hope campaign has helped 14 people living on the street by getting them into rehab and coming clean from their addiction, according to Trout.
Money was raised through collections at traffic lights and intersections to make the public aware that they are not to feed or give money to beggars at intersections as this only keeps them on the street.
The Change for Hope campaign also helps those families that cannot afford the high cost of rehabilitation.
"Many of those that were helped now have normal lives and jobs, and some are even married. Others have found purpose at the rehab and are working there full-time," says Trout.
Stop giving money to beggars
"Change for Hope appeals to every resident in George to stop giving money to people and children they see at traffic lights and intersections. We want to appeal to you to think before you give that change to a person, because you are not changing that person's reality or his circumstances," says Trout.
He challenges the community of George to rather donate their loose change to the Change for Hope campaign.
"All funds raised from this campaign will be used to help those addicts living on the streets as well as families who can really not afford rehab for their loved ones."
Strict screening
Trout says they have a very strict screening process in place when they assist families. Many people living on the streets have reached out for help to Pasa, but without funds, Pasa cannot help them.
"Effective and long-term help is not free. State rehabs have a waiting list of up to 18 months and there is very little hope for addicts if we don't do something. We appeal to the community of George to stand together and help us to clean up our streets."
Anyone who wishes to make a donation, or even become a fundraiser for this campaign, can visit here.
Freddy Trout can be contacted on 071 090 4450.
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