In a bold and swift move by the Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, MEC Faith Mazibuko, 38 young drug addicts from Hammanskraal in Pretoria are now receiving the needed help to change their lives for the better. The move comes as the Department is rolling out the know your neighborhood campaign, on the 13 of October 2011, prior to the official launch, MEC together with law enforcement agencies visited crime hot spots in the area as Hammansrkaal in notorious for Nyaope and Whoonga mixture of dagga, ARVs and rat poison.
MEC Mazibuko was humbled by the plea of these young boys and girls that they need help now. Without hesitation, and knowing that ‘Kuyasheshwa e Gauteng’ MEC immediately made arrangements with a rehabilitation centre, to admit them to start with a 12 weeks long program. At the rehabilitation centre they will be provided with free visitation by parents and periodically allowed to visit home when a need arise. Interacting with the young drug addicts, the MEC commended them and said “the road to recovery starts with you. I salute the bravery displayed here today to come forward and say I need help’ said MEC Mazibuko as the young drug addicts board to go to the facility.
Addressing the residents during the launch of know your neighborhood campaign, MEC emphasized the need for neighbors to be in good contact with each other, share telephone numbers so that should something peculiar happen with your neighbor, he/she is able to contact each other thus reducing the number of house robberies prevalent in the area. MEC emphasized that even the use of drugs and alcohol a neighbor could have raised the alarm for help. Crimes rife in the area are cable theft and house robberies as drug addicts need to feed their habits. The local Community Police Forum together with all the structures in the area committed to work tirelessly to provide awareness campaigns with the aim of ensuring that Hammanskraal is free from alcohol and drug abuse especially among young people. MEC also urges the strengthening of the Local Drug Action Committees which will also assist in creating awareness through robust anti-drug campaign.
Media contact person:
Thapelo Moiloa
Tel: 011 689 3600
Cell: 084 805 2247
