Eldorado residents take a stand against substances
This comes after two young people died this month alone from suspected use of lean.
Concerned residents of Eldorado Park convened an urgent special meeting on Thursday morning to discuss ways of tackling the use of lean by young people in the community.
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This comes after two young people died this month alone from suspected use of lean.
The meeting was spearheaded by Yes Eldos Again movement, a community organisation which has been at the forefront of the fight against drugs in the area.
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), SAPS, JMPD, Environmental Health, MMC for Public Safety Cllr Dr Mgcini Tshwaku, local school principals and faith based organisations were some of the stakeholders present in the meeting.
They all agreed that it was important to push education vial social media and other local media platforms to educate the community about the use of this dangerous concoction.
According to addictioncenter.com, lean is a recreational drug made with prescription medication mixed with soft drinks such as Sprite.
The medicine used in preparing the mixture usually contains Codeine and Promethazine mostly cough and cold syrup.
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Lean is also known as purple drank, purp, sizzurp, syrup, wock, oil and other names.
Even though the drink originates from America, it has gained popularity in South Africa, especially in local communities including Eldorado Park.
Recently, teenagers have been seen at local parks consuming the mixture usually from a two litre of Sprite. Children also carry water bottles to school which sometimes has this mixture which they drink without their teachers suspecting anything.
During the meeting, it was agreed that parents, teachers and caregivers need to find ways of monitoring what children are drinking from these water bottles when they are at school at or at the park.
Parents and teachers must also educate themselves so they can know the symptoms associated with the use of lean on children.
Residents of Eldorado Park have identified what they call ‘house pharmacies’ as being the problem in their community.
These are unlicensed pharmacies which sell even controlled medicine in the community without authorisation or doctor’s written prescription note. Even local spaza shops are suspected of selling medicine to residents without licenses.
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Dereleen James, a local anti-drug activist and community leader said it was time for residents to stand up against the silent pandemic which is lean.
“The death of two young people from our community due to the alleged use of lean has prompted us to create awareness. We can’t have children dying or collapsing at school with no one knowing why,” said James.
“It is also important that we empower our people to run their own spaza shops. I think that will be a good start because these shops are here for convenience as our people can’t travel far to shop.
“We need to get Economic Development to come in and assist in empowering our people in that regard.
“We also need to amplify awareness at schools and let children know about the dangers of lean to their health and education.”
JMPD, SAPS and all other law enforcement officials present at the meeting agreed to work hand in hand with residents to fight this pandemic. MMC Tshwaku shared the same sentiments with James when it comes to collective efforts by all relevant stakeholders to deal with illegal sale of medicine in the community.
Some of the warning signs include:
· Irregular heartbeat
· Decrease in blood pressure
· Significant sedation
· Loss of coordination
· Loss of inhibitions
· Slowed breathing or shortness of breath
· Extreme fatigue
· Hallucinations
· Seizures
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