Anti-drug campaign raise awareness about the rise of abuse
The Gauteng Department of Social Development, the South African National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders (NICRO) and the Reiger Park police, as well as the CPF, recently embarked on a door- to-door campaign against drugs in Ramaphosa.
The visitors knocked on the door of each household in the area, with the aim of educating people, particularly the youth, about the dangers of substance abuse.
According to spokesperson for the Reiger Park SAPS, Sgt Mashudu Phathela, members of the community were also encouraged to assist the government in eradicating the scourge of drugs.
They were given information on the negative effects of alcohol and drug abuse, which has proved to breed other social ills.
“Because residents of the area don’t attend crime Imbizos, we decided to launch a door-to-door campaign to spread awareness among residents about the causes and consequences of drug addiction,”says Pathela.
“I think we have got to be much more creative and more strategic in terms of our outreach.
“It emerged that the majority of unemployed, bored and frustrated youth in our area turn to substances such as alcohol and nyaope.
“That is why we have partnered with different NGOs and government departments, such as Social Development, whose staff members interacted face-to-face with the community members, urging them to seek help through local police, NGOs and other institutions, without fear of prosecution.”
Phathela admitted that Ramaphosa is associated with the excessive abuse of alcohol and use of drugs.
The community has, in the past, pleaded with the police to increase their visibility in the area, especially at night, because that is when criminals apparently take over the streets.
– @FanieBoksburg
