The drugs of choice for young people
Young people in the city will celebrate Youth Day with their peers usingĀ drugs of their choice
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POLOKWANE –Ā This is according to the South African National Council for Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (Sanca) in the city.
Sanca shares with Review the enormity of theĀ drug issue in the city.
Sanca administration manager, AmandaĀ Swanepoel says the drugs that young people use differ from time to time, and that there are patterns within specified age groups.
She says these patternsĀ show that in many cases, there are children from as young as eight yearsĀ old who have been brought in to the Sanca office.
“Children agedĀ between eight and 12 are found to be using drugs like dagga. InĀ the rural areas there have been many cases where nyope hasĀ taken over.” Swanepoel says.
She says in the older children, there is anĀ increase in the use of stronger drugs like Khat.
“This is theĀ fastest growing drug and children from the ages of 13 of 14 are brought in with an addictionĀ to the drug. It is also a drug that many adults use and isĀ especially popular in Polokwane and is the fastest growing drug available.”
Swanepoel says she tests as many as eight people a day, many of themĀ children who test positive for drugs.
She says Sanca makes an urgent call to parents to help to get children involved in the fight againstĀ drugs.Ā
“Do not be the parent who says that it will not be your child and doĀ not be the parent who says that it is only dagga. It is a drug none the lessĀ and it is bad for a child and an adult. People who know of substance abusersĀ should get in touch with organisations such as Sanca as there are well trained people who can help.”Swanepoel says.
Anyone in need of assistance with substance abuse can contact Sanca at (015) 295Ā 3700 or visit their offices at 33 Kerk Street Polokwane. Alternatively, send an e-mail to amanda@fnda.co.za or riette@fnda.co.za or visitĀ https://fnda.co.za.
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