According to Gauteng’s community policing forum board chairman Andy Mashaile, the aim is to encourage the public to work with police in stopping drug-related crimes in their communities.
According to Sanca Easten Gauteng acting manager Sebolelo Tseeke, substance abuse is rife in Boksburg areas, both in the townships and suburbs.
Tseeke believes that the campaign will indeed intensify the fight against drugs in Gauteng.
“It would ensure cooperation between members of the public and the police, as well as other stakeholders to stop drug peddling in the communities,” says Tseeke.
She adds that education and information were also powerful weapons when combating drugs.
In line with their drug Awareness Programme, Sanca Eastern Gauteng visits different public areas every week to educate people about the dangers of substance abuse. These include schools, clinics and other public areas.
Sanca Eastern Gauteng is currently dealing with 656 reported cases of substance abuse on the East Rand. These drug abusers include children, adults and elderly people, who attend the centre as outpatients.
Tseeke says dagga, Nyaope, alcohol, Cat and crystal methamphetamine remain the most readily available and most widely abused substances throughout the East Rand.
However, the drug threat in the East Rand varies by area.
Cat remains the most widely used illicit substance in the suburbs, meanwhile Nyaope is the most commonly used drug in the townships. Nyaope can be made from a mixture of heroin, dagga and other household chemicals such as rat poison and a variety of cleaning chemicals.
Crystal methamphetamine remains the most abused substance in Reiger Park.
Alcohol and dagga are the substances most often used by elderly people, but they are also being used by young people together with the other types of drugs.
Tseeke says drug abuse is rife in almost all the suburbs and townships throughout Boksburg and surrounding areas.
“The police can’t solve this problem alone. Success requires community involvement,” concludes Tseeke.
Police raids so far had netted drugs estimated to be valued in millions of rands on the streets and from drug factories in Boksburg.
