The East Africa Centre for Addiction Services together with its partners, Rotary club of Bweyogerere central and Namboole health club on Sunday 29, September 2019 successfully held its 2nd annual Recovery Run 2019.
This race is always the highlight of the EACAS calender and year.
This year's edition was dedicated to the West Nile communities in Uganda through the theme, 'creating an alcohol misuse, drugs use and a problem gambling free environment in the West Nile region'.
Being one of the regions highly affected by substance misuse and problem gambling, all proceeds from the race will help scaling up EACAS interventions in this region.
The event started with in a hyper mood as runners took part in the 5, 10 and 21 kilometers run from Namboole stadium, through Kireka, Namugongo and Bweyogerere at 8am.
Like the preceding run, there was a march through Kireka and its neighborhoods which was led by the Guest Runner Dr Hafsa Lukwata Ssentongo (Head of substance misuse at the ministry of Health).
Speaking at the event she said, she commended the organiser's great effort and hard work to make the event a reality.
"There are many ways to create awareness but I think this initiative is effective because it brings people together and we can use such platforms to sensitize communities about good mental health and how substance abuse can effect us."
'The recovery run is well packaged; I have seen people working out through running, marching and aerobics which all contribute to not only a healthy body but mental health too.Communities can rid themselves of substance disorders once they have a perfect mental health,' Dr Lukwata cautioned.
