The Sakhile Police have raised concerns about illegal substance that young people indulge in lately.
According to them people spend large amounts of money on illegal substances.
Sgt George Dhlamini, communications officer of the Sakhile Police, said addicts go to extreme lengths to get the next fix, such as stealing, robbing or even prostitution.
He said most addicts in Sakhile steal appliances in their own homes and sell them, or break into other people’s houses and take whatever they can get their hands on.
However, selling drugs has become a lucrative business.
These are the most abused drugs in Sakhile.
1. Alcohol
According to Sgt Dhlamini, many people who abuse alcohol get involved in criminal activities.
“Alcohol is usually the cause of offences such as domestic violence, assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, rape, car accidents, robbery and murder,” he said.
He also said people misbehave when they are under the influence of alcohol.
These offences escalate during weekends, month ends, public holidays and the festive season, because many consume large amounts of alcohol.
2. Dagga
This is a widely available drug and easily accessible.
According to Sgt Dhlamini, dagga is not expensive, a person can buy a small plastic bag for R5 or R10.
He said it is the commonly used illegal substance.
3. Nyaope or Whoonga
A growing number of people smokes nyaope.
They mix the substance with dagga and then smoke it.
It ranges between R20 and R40 and the high only lasts for a couple of hours.
Nyaope addicts are mostly blamed for the housebreaking that occurs.
4. Mandrax
This is one of the most sold drugs.
Mandrax come in tables form and it is crushed and mixed with dagga and smoked.
It is smoked in a dagga pipe known as bottle neck or white pipe.
It ranges between R30 and R60 per tablet.
5. Heroine
According to Sgt Dhlamini, this is not as commonly abused as much of the other drugs are.
He said there are few reported cases in the area.
The Sakhile Police have had success with drug busts, arresting drug dealers and seizing large amounts of illegal substances.
The community has played an important role in ensuring that the drug dealers are arrested.
They send tip-offs to the police, informing them about the dealers.
According to the police, they are working round the clock to apprehend all the suppliers.
