On Friday, 30 June, the South African Communist Party’s Nkosiphendule Kolisile Branch hosted a Fight Against Drug Abuse event at the Ramosa Hall. The Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Public Safety attended the event.
The idea behind the event was to warn and inform residents and drug abusers about the dangers of drugs. The Programme Director was Dumisani Nkosi, the secretary of the branch.
Chairperson of the branch, Patrick Sibeko, told the Herald that the Young Communist League of South Africa launched this anti-drug campaign because they believe that drug abuse is becoming a bigger problem by the day.
“Drug abusers feel isolated from the community and only get the cold shoulder from residents. We need to talk to the residents, other communities and organisations to open up and talk to the drug users,” said Sibeko.
He continued by sayings that by making them feel more rejected, they just spiral deeper and deeper into the dark world of drugs. “We need to find a way to get them away from drugs and back into society,” he said. Many use drugs to escape emotional pain, while others use it because they choose to. Nkosi added that nyaope is still the biggest problem in Mohlakeng. It is affordable and many dealers sell it.
Various organisations were invited to the event. Pastor Edward van Schalkwyk and Iain Batten, members of the local Drug Action Committee and the Turn to Eternal Life Bible Ministries, spoke about the different drugs and their dangers. They had pictures on display of the physical harm they cause addicts. Batten, a testicular cancer survivor, also spoke about one of the biggest risks of marijuana or dagga being used as a form of cancer treatment.
Drug rehabilitation and law-enforcement agencies also gave professional advice regarding the issue.
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