01/08/2026
Drugs Abuse-Breaking the Silence: Our Youth, Our Future" - Community Talk Script
Greetings everyone.
Thank you for your time. Today I want to talk about something that is hurting us, but we are all quiet about it: drug abuse in our community.
For 10 years we’ve faced many challenges as a result of the armed conflicts in the Southwest and Northwest regions of Cameroon 🇨🇲 . But another challenge is growing inside our homes — our sons, daughters, and friends are using tramadol, cough syrup, w**d, and alcohol to cope. And we are not talking.
The Problem :
Drug abuse is not about "bad children". It’s about pain, idleness, peer pressure, and hopelessness.
When we are silent, 3 things happen:
Our youth get sick - body, mind, and school drop out
Risk goes up - accidents, fights, unprotected s*x, HIV
Families suffer alone - in shame, with no help
The Hope:
But there is hope. Drug abuse is a health problem, not just a moral problem. And health problems have solutions.
We don’t need to insult or beat people into change. We need to talk, listen, and link them to help.
Recovery is possible. Many have come out of it when someone believed in them.
The Call to Action :
So today I’m asking us 3 things:
Let’s talk - Parents, check on your children with love. Youths, check on your friends. Don’t laugh at them. Ask "are you okay?"
Let’s not judge - If someone comes to you for help, don’t chase them away. Link them to the health center or a trusted counselor.
Let’s give alternatives - Sports, skills, church, work. Idle mind is the devil’s workshop. Let’s keep our youth busy and hopeful.
Conclusion:
We can’t heal what we don’t name.
From today, let this be a community that talks, cares, and saves its own.
If you or someone you know needs help, speak to [mention local health center/peer educator/religious leader]. You are not alone.We need funds to scale up the fight against drug abuse in our communities.
Thank you. May God bless our community.
Roland ETCHU
(Public Health Expert)
Executive Director
CACOI Cameroon 🇨🇲
+237 677 37 55 77/ 655 00 21 48
[email protected]
