Campaign aims to end drug abuse in the CBD
"We need to place addicts in rehab centres that are already in the community as they have to be integrated back into society."
A drug awareness campaign was held at Sunny Park shopping centre last Friday.
The campaign was a joint initiative by the Sunnyside Youth Crime Prevention Desk (YCPD) and the Sunnyside police under the theme #DrugsMustFall.
Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga, Sunnyside police station commander Brigadier Ramakamakama Kekana and ward 81 councillor Godfrey Mulaudzi also attended the event.
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Msimanga said the Tshwane metro police and the SAPS were working hard to fight drug abuse and root out dealers.
He said drug abuse was a serious problem in Pretoria and other parts of the country, but cautioned against sending addicts to rehabilitation centres that were far away.
“We need to place addicts in rehab centres that are already in the community as they have to be integrated back into society,” said Msimanga.
He promised residents that drug dealers would be arrested and “dealt” with.
“We will work together with the police (both TMPD and SAPS) to clean the city.”
ALSO READ: Youth pull out of the stops to put end to drug abuse in Sunnyside
“We have done so with Brown Street and we won’t allow what happened to Brown Street to happen to Sunnyside.”
Msimanga said drug abuse contributed to the high level of crime in Pretoria.
SABC1’s Skeem Saam actor Putla Sehlapelo, who also attended the event, urged the Msimanga to act speedily against drugs.
“We need to so something about drug dealers. Mr Mayor we need to do something to curb drug abuse in Tshwane,” said Sehlapelo.
During the event, actors and musicians also gave stellar performances.
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