Community members of Phola, organisations and different stakeholders came out in their numbers to support the substance abuse festive season awareness campaign held in their area.
The campaign led by the Department of Social Development and the recently launched eMalahleni Local Drug Action Committee (LDAC), was held on Wednesday, December 7.
The committee aims to make sure that it came with a plan to fight drug abuse.
The committee launch was held on Wednesday, November 23 and they were appointed by the Executive Mayor of Emalahleni Clr Connie Nkalitshana.
As one of its aims is to fight abuse, the committees started with this campaign during the festive season.
Ms Ethel Makushe from the Department of Social Development said many young people during this period felt into the trap of abusing drugs and alcohol and hence they were there to give guidance to community members and the young people. The other aim of the campaign was to check the number of liquor outlets in the area, whether illegal or legal and check whether they comply with their licence conditions.
Message of support were read from the SAPS by the new station commander of Phola Lt Col F.J. Viviers.
Ms Mpumalanga, Lungile Fakude also the ambassador responsible for gambling, liquor trade and responsible consumption, urged young people not to indulge in drugs and alcohol abuse and that they must behave responsible during the festive season.
Mr Zweli Lubisi from the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator says they have challenges with liquor outlets compliance with many of them not keeping to the closing time as stipulated in the licences.
“We encouraged members of the community to report liquor outlets who do not comply with the conditions of operating. Please be our eyes and report them to your police station. If the police station does not help, please report to us directly. We are prepared to make unannounced visits to those outlets. Some of these outlets, if they do not comply, their licences can be suspended or be terminated,” Lubisi said.
Mr Marcus Masemola, chairperson of the Provincial Substance Abuse Forum said that one of the mandates of the Committee (LDAC) is to enhance the prevention and treatment of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking services effectively.
He added to say that LDAC must work hand in hand with community members and organisations to find solutions to the problems and challenges they face.
LDAC must come out with a Drug Master Plan to compile and implement an action plan to combat substance abuse in the jurisdiction of the municipality.
The LDAC must also give annual feedback to the Provincial Substance Abuse Forum and Central Drug Authority (CDA).
He says Phola is one of the areas with a lot of liquor outlets and that is a problem.
Chief Sipho Mahlangu also raised his concerns about the many liquor outlets resulting in many young people abusing drugs and alcohol, limiting their chances of being employed.
Chief Mahlangu also raises his concern about the many illegal scrapyards.
He urged community members to work hand in hand with the police, CPF and other government departments to ‘fight’ the wars against drugs and alcohol abuse.
Later community members formed commissions to find solutions to the problems and challenges faced.
The members of the LDACC are: Themba Nkosi (chairperson), Croswell Libazi (deputy chairperson), Jabulile Kubheka (secretary), President Mahlangu, (deputy secretary), Bheki Mhlambi (treasurer). Four other members in governance and research and four additional members were also elected to the committee.
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