Jozi’anti-drugs activist off to the US
24 September 2015
Dereleen James, well-known Eldorado Park community leader and anti-drugs activist, jets off to the United States tomorrow (Friday September 25) to take part in the International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP), initiated by US President Barack Obama to enable the world’s movers and shakers to share experiences with their American counterparts.
James, founder of Sharing Without Shame Wellness Centre, gained world acclaim two years ago when she wrote a heart-wrenching letter to President Jacob Zuma drawing his attention to the massive social problems created by the proliferation of drugs in Eldorado Park.
The emotive letter prompted President Zuma to visit the township – in the City of Johannesburg's Region G – where he committed the government to decisively deal with the problem. The president was accompanied by Johannesburg Executive Mayor Cllr Parks Tau and then Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane, among other leaders.
James, who is also a member of the board of the Johannesburg Social Housing Company, an entity of the City of Johannesburg, was nominated by US Ambassador to South Africa Patrick Gaspard. The IVLP is a three-week professional leadership exchange programme of the US Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Exchange.
It brings together up-and-coming international leaders to experience the diversity of America’s social, economic and political life, and meet and network with their professional counterparts. The anti-drugs campaigner said the opportunity to visit the US was an invaluable one as it would enable her to bring back new ideas to benefit local communities.
“I’m extremely proud to have been nominated to represent South Africa on this prestigious programme. I’ll have the incredible opportunity to speak to American families living with active addictions, and network and discuss issues with my professional counterparts,” James said in an interview on the eve of her departure.
“I aim to be South Africa’s voice, sharing lessons, creating partnerships and learning more about the fight against drugs,” said James.
She said writing “that letter” had changed her life.
“It taught me that things can be different if you want them to be. I now see options and not boundaries. I want to use the passion I have to empower and help others,” James said.
In the 2013 letter James and fellow community members pleaded with President Zuma to urgently intervene and assist in halting the scourge.
“I want to thank President Zuma for his response to our pleas. By targeting his focus on Eldorado Park we have seen consistent change and high-level involvement to ensure improved access to people living with addictions and their families. The president’s swift response has left the community feeling motivated. We are no longer a community that feels forgotten and marginalised,” James added.
The Share Without Shame Wellness Centre, which she founded shortly after the president's visit, is a safe haven for addicted youths.
“This wellness centre is the first of more to come. This drop-in centre is a place to seek help, a place for recovery. Together with the City of Johannesburg, we are working on establishing more drop-in centres throughout the city to ensure help is accessible and available.
“Mayor Tau has really gone the extra mile to ensure access to assistance for drug addiction,” said James.
She and other participants will visit a number of cities during their three-week stay in the US, including New Orleans, Seattle, New York and Denver. She returns to Johannesburg on October 20.