Oupa Dion Malatji (photo right) said in a letter to the Herald that young people of Phalaborwa are being robbed of their futures.

“Drug lords are destroying our youth by introducing nyaope and drugs while community activists are watching over,” he said.

“I have engaged community leaders and those in power for the drug gangs to be brought to justice, but my concerns were never attended to.

“As a result, my child became a victim of drug abuse and as a parent, seeing other young people waste their lives, pains me.

“I believe that as a community we must take a stand against it, but it seems that we have lost our drive as a community to deal with issues pertaining to the youth of this area.”

Also read: Itumeleng helps struggling drug addicts

Malatji said that drug traffickers have a lifestyle that seems glamorous, driving fancy cars and wearing fashionable clothes through selling drugs.

“Even worse they are even selling it in school premises.”

“I’m fed up by these people who think, we can watch them do as they please with the lives of our children.”

An organisation, Word On The Street, led by Itumeleng Selepe, a former drug addict can assist young people suffering from substance abuse.

Contact Selepe by following his Facebook page: Word On The Street, or call him on 067 702 2784.