Entities join hands to reinforce fight against substance abuse
“To combat the scourge of drug abuse, we encourage the community to make use of the stakeholders who are present its ward.”
The Local Drug Action Committee (LDAC) in Ward 21 hosted its committee meeting at Salem Ark Church in Jerusalem.
The event, held by Ward 21 LDAC and COGTA, had one goal in mind: to strengthen the operation of Ward 21 LDAC to contribute to the battle against drug and substance use disorders inside the ward.
Local NPOs and NGOs attended the event, as did personnel of law enforcement agencies like Primrose SAPS and the Boksburg Youth Crime Prevention Desk.
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Onicca Silwana of Kitso Lesedi Youth Development in Primrose stated they are prepared to work with the LDAC.
“We want to help equip young people with skills that will assist them to get a job and refrain from crime and drugs.
“We are a skills centre that works with young people and offers a variety of courses. We aim to expand our reach beyond Primrose.
“We also have a community soup kitchen which feeds close to 300 people, including our students so they can function in class,” added Silwana.
Success Monareng, a Boksburg Youth Desk member, a Kanana community patroller and a member of the Boksburg CPF, claimed Ward 21 was riddled with drugs like nyaope, dagga, and Mandrax.
“The most difficult aspect of working with addicts is their unwillingness to accept help. The ward has experienced an increase in drug use, and we have addressed most hotspot areas.
“Drugs are destroying the lives of many young people in our town. Some of them are difficult to recognise when you encounter them on the street.
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“We are inviting young people to join the youth desk and be the agents of the change they want to see in their communities,” said Monareng.
COGTA’s Nokulunga Mhlahlo said following the meeting, they will present the structure with asset-based community development A, B, C, and D approach through a three-day training.
“To combat the scourge of drug abuse, we encourage the community to make use of the stakeholders who are present in their ward.
“Our responsibility is to assist, counsel, and help with the organisation’s development.
“Following the meeting, we will begin with training and capacity building. New members need to know what to do within the bounds of the law,” said Mhlahlo.
Xolani Mthiyane, who spoke about the drug national master plan, said: “We observe what we can implement at the ward level. This includes soccer competitions against crime and our school-based initiatives.”
Xolani Mthiyane, discussed the national drug master plan, saying they can follow its guidelines to find solutions to the drug problems within the communities.
“We can see what to implement on a ward-based level from the drug master plan. Some highlights include soccer tournaments against crime and school-based initiatives we had,” said Mthiyane.
