Drug situation needs urgent attention

I am writing because I believe that the community of Shakaskraal needs to be made aware of what is happening in our town.
As a local GP, I have found that drug addiction is a big problem in the community. Many lives are being lost, many families are being destroyed although they are in a situation, which I believe is salvageable.
I took the initiative to contact a world renowned addiction specialist, who is very well experienced when it comes to the treatment of addicts as well as educating their families, in order to set up a drug awareness talk that would assist both young people and parents currently faced with drug related problems. I started in October 2014, trying to secure a venue, where he could talk to the community, especially those in leadership positions like teachers as well as parents. But I always came to    a dead-end when trying to commence this much needed project.
So, I decided at my own cost to hire the hall at Shakaskraal Primary School. This seemed like the ideal location as it is just a stones’ throw from Nkobongo and people can easily walk there to listen to the talk and get the help and assistance they require. The intention of hosting the drug awareness talk was not just to provide information but also to form support groups for families affected by addiction and addicts themselves.
However when I approached Shakaskraal Primary School to hire their hall I encountered numerous challenges. I experienced extreme disappointment and frustration due to the attitude of people who appear to have the monopoly on what goes on in town. I was first told that I must apply in writing; which I did but did not get a reply until today. Then I was told, by a previous chairperson of the governing body that the hall was booked and if I apply for another date that the hall would be booked on that date as well.
Community members will agree that this community needs all the help and support it can get to curb drug-related problems. It is quite sad and disappointing that there would be such opposition and very little co-operation from people who should have this community’s best interests as priority.
I cannot just sit back and watch things go on the way they are. If no-one acts about the situation in our town, things may even get worse and the state of Shakaskraal can deteriorate to such an extent that we may have to contend with things like gangs, gang-related violence and drug associated crime.
Community leaders should actually support initiatives, like this drug awareness campaign, which will ultimately lend support to drug addicts as well as their families. Instead, I have found the present community leaders acting in such a way so as to shut down any community initiative which will threaten their political agenda and this is very disappointing. The drug awareness campaign will continue, irrespective of the current resistance that is experienced.
DR NIVASHA NAIDOO
Shakaskraal