ALCOHOL & SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION PROJECT
PROJECT SUMMARY
The BOCAIP Alcohol Abuse Prevention and Reduction Project is designed to provide support to the national goal of combating alcohol abuse and addiction including minimization of the effects of alcohol abuse and addiction through building on the BOCAIP model of providing services (using its district-based centers within the communities) through district-based centers and working through the community.
PROJECT GOAL
To combat alcohol and substance abuse and minimize its effects
OBJECTIVES
- To rehabilitate alcohol dependants from a dysfunctional state to a more functional state of
wellness with regard to their mental, social and financial state. - To create and raise community awareness on the negative impacts of alcohol abuse in 4 districts
of Botswana. - To integrate HIV, GBV and TB in the anti-alcohol messages.
ACTIVITIES
- Raising community awareness about alcohol abuse and dangers thereof in different set ups (schools, workplaces, homes, shebeens)
- Identification of people who abuse alcohol (through a risk assessment tool)
- Providing counselling to individuals and families
- Referral to different stakeholders for further intervention (HIV testing services, further Gender Based Violence interventions, Social Workers.
TARGET GROUP
Youth aged 10-24 years
Adults aged 25-65+
LOCATION
The project runs in the four (4) districts of Francistown, North East (Masunga), Kgalagadi South (Tsabong) and Lobatse. Services are delivered by Community Mobilisers and Counselors who work directly with the community members. BOCAIP conducts alcohol abuse prevention through education and behavior change strategies (rehabilitation) targeting the general community, with specific interventions targeting youth from (10-24years) and adults (25-65+years). BOCAIP is unique in the sense that it has embedded the spiritual support in addition to the psychosocial support given to clients.
RATIONALE
Alcohol abuse is a prevalent social problem in Botswana, it is also blamed for public disorder, road traffic accidents, crimes and violence, problems among families, workplace, and risky sexual behaviours, poverty and unemployment. The risky behaviours are no doubt contributing to a worsening of the HIV and AIDS situation in the country. It is against these reasons that BOCAIP found it necessary to contribute to prevention of alcohol abuse through activities that are geared toward that.
PLANNED IMPACT
An alcohol-free country with young people who understand its effects.
PARTNERS
Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW)