IT is not unusual for drug addicts to snort up R1 600 worth of crystal meth on a Saturday morning.
In fact, some couples who are both addicted, spend thousands over weekends to get high, while their children are hungry, neglected and in danger.
This is according to local spiritual counsellor, Trudy Pitout, after more written complaints to the Zululand Observer about the drug trade in Richards Bay, this time by an Arboretum resident complaining about a crack kitchen in Strelitzia Street.
‘Drug dealers are delivering drugs using several motorbikes and cars at all times of day and night,’ the man says.
According to the source, the matter was reported to the police on previous occasions, but there have been no recent raids or arrests.
The man says neighbours’ attempts to expose and disrupt open dealing, have led to intimidation and threats against himself and others.
‘One dealer threatened to shoot my friend, when he confronted him where he was selling drugs.
‘The dealer also followed him.
‘The situation is reaching boiling point and the lid is starting to lift.’
Hot spots
Similar complaints have been steadily streaming into the Zululand Observer from concerned family members of addicts and neighbours.
Drug dealing have been reported in locations including Giraffe Place, Cinnamon Crescent, Frondosa Street, Hedgehunt, Gibbon Grove, Daisy Leaf, Felt Fern, Richards Bay Taxi City, Weigelia, Soetdoringsekel, Waterberry Wood, Blouvalkbos, Heideheuwel, Loerie Park, Pelican Parade, Advokado Kroon, Kolstertkring, Knorhaanbaai, Palingdraai, Breamhill, Naval Island, Alkantstrand, almost every shopping complex in town and numerous pubs in the Richards Bay CBD.
Most of the drug dens also supply prostitutes.
Cocaine, whoonga, heroin, cat (Methcathinone) and tik (methamphetamine) are freely available, but Pitout says use of the highly addictive and deadly Crystal meth is on the rise.
‘Crystal meth is sold for R400 a line and addicts can use up to four lines on a Saturday morning, so it is not hard to imagine why we have such a high crime rate.
‘It is a very expensive addiction and one of the most difficult to treat.
