Clinix partners with sports stars to raise awareness of substance abuse

Bernard Parker of Reiger Park, Olympic silver medalist Luvo Manyonga and former Banyana Banyana athlete Portia Modise are ambassadors for the Clinix Health Group substance abuse campaign.

The campaign, which aims to educate and raise awareness about substance abuse and addiction, launched on June 19 at the Solomon “Stix” Morewa Memorial Hospital in Johannesburg South.

Manyonga has struggled with drug addiction for over a decade, with World Athletics banning him for four years for an anti-doping rule violation in 2021, while Parker (Reiger Park) and Modise (Soweto) grew up in areas where they witnessed peers fail due to drug use.

Clinix Chief Marketing Officer, Matshepo Majola, said: “As Clinix Health Group, we pride ourselves on being a responsible corporate citizen who cares about the well-being of the communities we serve.

“This awareness campaign is important to us because our country has a gigantic drug problem that affects all races, classes and ages. Statistics shockingly show that one in four pre-teens have experimented with psychoactive drugs, one third of South Africans aged 15 and over are drinkers and almost 60% of them binge drink.

“As a people-centric brand, we want this campaign to do more than just raise awareness of the negative effects of substance use and illegal drugs. We want to convey a message of empathy that encourages those struggling with substance use disorders and addiction to seek help and access the support we offer at our various wellness centres across Gauteng.”

Clinix Health Group will also work with community organizations, schools and other stakeholders to organize social activations throughout the campaign.

“They will be held in various communities at Clinix wellness centers in Gauteng,” Majola added.

“Our partnership with three sports stars to serve as ambassadors for our campaign was a smart move as we are confident their individual, relatable stories will have a positive impact and show how sport can have both positive and negative associations with substance use and addiction.”

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