Drug bankies litter the streets in Eersterust
The community of Eersterust, north of Pretoria, have taken Minister of Social Development, Ms Bathabile Dlamini, on a walkabout in their neighbourhood and showed her drug bankies that litter the streets to highlight the extent of drug abuse in the area.
According to community members, the tiny bags that resemble plastic bag deposit bags are used by drug dealers to sell what they referred to as cat – a street name for heroin. Heroin is one of the drugs used to make nyaope, a popular substance in Eersterust.
Minister Dlamini was in the area to raise awareness of the dangers of alcohol and substance abuse as part of the commemoration of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Eersterust was chosen for the commemoration following a letter written to President Zuma by local faith-based leaders asking government to intervene in the drug problem in the Tshwane township.
Addressing the community, Minister Dlamini emphasised the need for parents to play a more active role in the lives of their children as a way of curbing alcohol and substance abuse among youth. She also urged young people themselves to lead the campaign against drug abuse.
“Parents must make time for their children because it is only through active involvement in our children’s lives that we can understand their challenges and help them overcome them.
“We will deploy our Project Mikondzo team in this area to work with families and ensure that parenting interventions to better equip parents with parenting skills are escalated,” said Minister Dlamini.
Minister Dlamini also urged non-governmental organisations and community based organisations that are established to address social challenges in Eersterust to work together because ‘it is only through collaboration and cooperation that meaningful impact will be made.’
To this end, Minister Dlamini announced that a team led by Tshwane Mayoral Management Committee member for Health and Social Development, Councillor Eulanda Mabusela, will be established to improve the coordination of the necessary interventions.
This year’s International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is commemorated under the theme “Let’s Develop our Lives, Communities, our Identities without Drugs.”
The world drug campaign calls on young people to protect their health. It also provides young people and others with tools to educate themselves about the health risks associated with illicit drug use.
Media inquiries to:
Ms Lumka Oliphant
Cell: 083 484 8067
E-mail: lumkao@dsd.gov.za
