THE Point area has been plagued by escalating drugs and prostitution, among other social and criminal ills, and the precinct, which is mostly inhabited by youth and students, has seen its fair share of failed efforts to fight the scourge.

The recent launch of the Point CPF Youth Desk aims at addressing the stubborn criminal issues, which mostly impact the youth and student community in the area. Their reach extends to some parts of the CBD as well as South Beach. The chairperson of Point CPF, Mandla Cebekhulu, is optimistic, although he is mindful of the strength and pull of enablers and backers of such crimes.

R360 000 drugs consignment recovered in Point, Petroport

“Crime-fighting remains an ongoing battle. Substance abuse and prostitution remain at the top of the list. This is where we see youth falling prey. Human trafficking, GBV, robbery, and public drunken disturbance cases also see youth at the centre, mostly as victims,” shared Cebekhulu.

With the Youth Desk in its infancy, the mother body has already outlined intervention programmes, which include regular workshops, awareness campaigns, information sharing and education, and most importantly, mental shift and positive outlook.

As accessibility of drugs opens wider, Cebekhulu reckons the fight will not be easy, seeing that they have to fight those who stand against the fight, whose drug trade puts bread on their table. He also cites corruption involving drug dealers and law-enforcement officials as a major hindrance, and calls for more capacity and support, even if it requires the military to intervene.

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