Temba police see a decrease in drug-related cases
Although police try to help addicts by arranging rehabilitation for them, their efforts bare no fruits.
The Temba police have seen a decrease in the number of drug-related cases in their policing precinct compared to last year.
Temba police spokesperson Sergeant Herman Moremi said the number of drug-related cases reported to the station “has dropped a little bit”.
“Drug abuse has caused a lot of fights between family members and has played a part in breaking up neighbourly relationships.”
He said drugs also played a part in housebreaking and theft cases reported to the station.
“Drug abuse has an impact in our community, it also contributes to domestic violence. Drug addicts will start stealing electrical appliances from their own families to sell them. They will later escalate their stealing from the neighbours.
“This causes a lot of tension in families and that is when families become enemies. This is in most cases caused by one person who is addicted to drugs.”
Moremi said although police try to help addicts by arranging rehabilitation for them, their efforts bare no fruits.
“Usually they will never complete the programme at the rehabilitation centres. They come back to the community and continue with their criminal activities.
“We also hold drug awareness campaigns every year where we are targeting youth and introducing them to sports activities. This is in an effort of keeping them busy. During this campaign, only a few of those addicted to drugs will volunteer to go to rehab.”
He said the police have since been working with Sanca (the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence) to sensitise learners about the dangers of drugs.
“Currently we are working hand-in-hand with Sanca as a rehab centre. During school talks we go together to address learners about the danger of drugs and which channels to follow if they want to go to rehab.”
Moremi warned those who continue to sell drugs in their policing precinct that they would not stop “squeezing them out of the community”.
“We are aware that drug dealers are targeting school kids and destroying their future. We would like to warn them that, should we get information from the community members about their dealings, we will not hesitate to squeeze them out,” he said.
“If they want to sell drugs, they must go somewhere else because it is going to be our daily routine to search for them day and night.”
Two weeks ago Moremi said they arrested three men for possession of drugs following a tip-off while conducting a stop-and-search operation.
He said police followed up on the tip-off and managed to arrest the first man next to the Suurman bushes.
“He was found in possession of drugs. The second man was found inside an abounded building and the third man was found hiding drugs at his stall.”
Acting station commander Colonel George Zwane applauded the police for acting swiftly after receiving information about the suspects.
Zwane said police will work around the clock to remove criminals in their policing precinct.
“I am delighted to see the community working together with the police to fight crime.”
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