The drugs that the police confiscate are not always as common as dagga and while the arrests are made on the streets, other organisations try to inform scholars and working individuals about the effects of these drugs.
A police constable arrested a suspect in Beatty Street at about 17:00. The suspect apparently tried to run away when the police approached him but lost his nerve. He was allegedly carrying a plastic bag with the drug called Rock. The street value of the substance has not yet been estimated.
According to drugaware.co.za which is a non-profit drug counselling and awareness organisation based in South Africa the drug commonly called Rocks or Crack is a form of cocaine. Their website states, “Crack Cocaine is a crystal that is derived by mixing normal Cocaine Hydrochloride with Bicarbonate of Soda and putting it through a chemical process whereby the crystals are formed. Only a small amount of Cocaine is needed to make a large quantity of Crack Crystals.” It is usually smoked with a specialised pipe and is highly addictive, much more addictive than any other form of cocaine.
The same day at about 15:00 police arrested another suspect in French Street, which is also close to the Central Business District (CBD).
The police approached the man, who was walking down the street, when they allegedly saw him throw something on the ground as soon as he spotted the police. The officers saw that is was drugs and arrested the suspect shortly afterwards.
As he was being arrested the suspect apparently insulted the police with obscene gestures.
The police made another notable drug arrest on March 26 when patrolling police arrested a person for being in possession of a drug called Kat. The arrest was made at 16:00 in Walter Sizulu Street. Khat or Cat, according to the South African National Council against Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (SANCA), is a very serious drug, “The effects of methcathinone causes an intense stimulant rush accompanied by hyperactivity, rapid speech, increased alertness and self-confidence, dilated pupils and a rise in body temperature. Long term effects include psychological dependency, depression, chronic fatigue and course tremors,” stated their website.
Witbank SAPS does their own drug awareness initiative to educate teenagers and parents about the dangers of drug abuse. “It is important to speak about these things. Sometimes these youngsters that are arrested change their life around and go on to finish school. Capt Eddie and I try and guide them away from that lifestyle. It is also important for parents to understand how serious drugs can be and to work hand in hand with the SAPS,” said Sgt David Ratau.
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