The Randburg Community Policing Forum (CPF) held a meeting on 21 July at Randburg SAPS to avert the scourge of drug use in the precinct.
The CPF initially established that there was an increase of drug and alcohol use with the number of victims getting younger.
The CPF chairperson, Sandy Andrew said fighting the profitable drug trade and the use of drugs was a persisting battle.
Drug recovering addicts, Elani and Brendon Richardson from Break the Silence, a non-governmental organisation, recounted their struggle.
“We have found that the public is rarely aware of the types of drugs now easily available. Parents in particular should ensure they have as much information as possible, both on drugs and on the symptoms to look out for,” said Elani.
Members of the CPF committee and the resident’s associations had joined the Local Drug Action Committee (LDAC) led by the Department of Social Development. This committee aims at reducing drug use within the Gauteng province.
Andrew said the CPF had formed a school forum with the aim of seeking solutions to the problem of scholars who were easily obtaining drugs.
The CPF deputy chairperson Lance Porter, explained that the presentation done by Break the Silence was vital to all the parents who attended the meeting.
“The children of today face many almost insurmountable problems. As the CPF, one of our main focus areas for 2015/2016 is the drug problem in Randburg, so we will be holding many such informative sessions in the future,” concluded Porter.
Details: Break the Silence: 083795 3617; Randburg CPF 082 433 6085.
