Rehoboth: First Gentleman Lt Gen Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah on Friday urged learners in Rehoboth at Dr Lemmer Secondary School, to reject drugs and alcohol, warning that substance abuse threatens their education, future as well as national development. He did so during an awareness campaign on substance abuse hosted at the school by the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture. According to Namibia Press Agency, Ndaitwah addressed the learners, emphasizing that true masculinity is rooted in discipline, integrity, and responsibility, rather than in risky or destructive behavior. He advised the learners that being a man should not be proven through wrong actions and encouraged them to make choices that protect their health and academic progress. Ndaitwah further encouraged learners to remain focused on their education and avoid peer pressure, particularly the use of alcohol and drugs, which he said derail young people from achieving their goals. Reflecting on his own life, he shared how challenges in his early education, influenced by an unfavorable learning environment during the apartheid era, taught him the importance of perseverance and discipline. He stressed that difficult circumstances should not define a learner's future, noting that commitment and self-belief can lead to success. Hardap Region Governor Riaan McNab also addressed the learners, describing substances, particularly alcohol and drugs, as a 'silent and deceptive threat' that destroys families and communities. He cautioned learners against viewing substance use as harmless entertainment or a form of escape. McNab asserted that no community can develop when its children are addicted and no nation can progress when its youth are destroyed, urging learners to prioritize education, discipline, and long-term goals over short-term pleasure. McNab also highlighted that Rehoboth has become a hotspot for drugs and substance abuse, underscoring the importance of addressing these issues to safeguard the future of the youth and the community.