Drug crisis out of control
Drugs have been the centre of many conversations this past weekend.
The shocking figures relating to drug abuse in the city on last week’s front-page, caused a lot of people do to a reality check and realize something has to be done.
One of the entities, that undertook a substance abuse and awareness campaign, is the Nkangala District who visited King George’s Park on Friday, March 14.
“We are determined to create a society free of drug abuse,” Member of the Mayoral Committee Cllr Lesley Nhlapo said in the opening speech.
He elaborated, “One of the problems raised by the mining sector is that our youth is unemployed because they test positive on drugs when the mine wants to employ them. Substance and drug abuse lead to poverty.”
Nhlapo said the same teenagers who start drinking at an early age, soon turn to drugs, have sex early and the result is teenage pregnancy and HIV infection.
Currently Emalahleni has a HIV infection rate of 40.6%.
“We launched a law enforcement unit on November 1. This unit will assist the municipality in fighting crime in Emalahleni. We want to restore the dignity of the city by enforcing law and order. Together with the SAPS and the community, we are committed to deal with drug lords and drug abuse.“
A representative from the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA) gave an overview on the social impact of substance abuse and the SAPS outlined the dangers of using drugs.
The keynote address was given by the Executive Mayor of the Nkangala District Municipality, Cllr Speedy Mashilo.
