Ekurhuleni Mayor Tania Campbell recently handed out appointment letters to five new members of the Local Drug Action Committee (LDAC).
The LDAC has been set up to fight social ills, including substance abuse.
In partnership with the City of Ekurhuleni, the Gauteng Department of Social Development launched the second LDAC in the province. The first committee was launched in the City of Johannesburg.
During the event, members from various departments in social development spoke about dealing with the use of drugs in local communities in a proper manner.
Desary Carlinsky from the Department of Social Development said local committees should aim at keeping their communities drug free.
“The committees must ensure that they give the facts to the implementation of the national drug master plan.
They must ensure that action plans are in line with the priorities and objectives of the integrated provincial drug master plan,” said Carlinsky.
Acting MMC of Health and Social Development, Dino Peterson, said the City needs to be tough on crime and its causes.
“Drug abuse perpetuates the circle of crime. As a multi-party coalition government, we are committed to ensuring that we get the basics right and improve the business environment and making it easier to do business in the City,” said Peterson.
Meanwhile, Campbell said the City will continue to work with partners to deliver drug and substance abuse prevention programmes.
“We appreciate that young people are the future of this city. Young people must be granted opportunities to realise their potential,” said Campbell.
The mayor has stated that when it comes to the fight against substance abuse, the City’s strategy is based on the seven pillars which are demand reduction, harm reduction, supply reduction, healing continuum, sustaining groups, capacity building, and advocacy in fighting substance abuse.
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