The South African National Council on Alcoholism (Sanca) held an alcohol and drug awareness campaign in celebration of the international day against drug and illicit trafficking in Kya Sands on June 28.
In order to provide services closer to the residents of Kya Sands Informal Settlement, various stakeholders like JMPD, SAPS, Anova health facility, Department of Social Development, and Sanca joined hands together to teach residents about the abuse of alcohol and drugs.
“The aim of the alcohol and drug awareness campaign is to educate the community about the dangers of the use of substance abuse as the country is experiencing young people dying due to the use of a substance such your alcohol, hubbly bubbly and drugs,” said Sanca community development worker Khensani Mashele.
She said they wanted to talk to the Kya Sands community since it had been noted as a hub for alcohol and drug misuse. “We [Sanca] believe that getting close to the people most affected by this issue of drug abuse and alcohol will assist us in finding those who are [affected] and have nowhere else to go… Those who need our help should come to our nearest offices in Diepsloot or call us on 011 836 2460 to receive the required help from us,” said Mashele.
She added that the rehabilitation process is free of charge. “We also assist kids with behavioural problems whom the community may get assistance for when in need.”
Douglasdale Police Station spokesperson Captain Mpho Tshetlane said they have noticed ‘a high number of gender-based violence and assault cases reported by the residents’, led by the influence of substance abuse. “We say to them they should not hesitate to get in touch with us and we will respond to their cries,” Tshetlane said.
Related Article:
Police confiscate replica firearm altered to fire like a real gun
