Kick the very bad drug habit

Drugs are still roaming our streets, even after numerous arrests are made each week.

This past week, two arrests were made for heroin and presumably cocaine. On Wednesday, June 19 police made their daily rounds in the early afternoon in Mandela Street in the Central Business District (CBD).

Police was doing a stop and search and saw a male that immediately turned his head and then he started running.

Police ensued a chase and finally caught up to him behind an empty building and they introduced themselves and asked to conduct a search.

He gave consent and police found 52 pieces of wrapped plastic and it smelt like vinegar.

Police confiscated the suspected cocaine and arrested the suspect.

The drugs have an estimated street value of R2 080.

In another incident on Tuesday, June 18 another suspect was arrested on the corner of Elizabeth and Arras Streets.

According to a statement, police searched the suspect and found four units of heroin in the suspect’s pocket.

He was arrested and police said that the man just said ‘sorry boss’ and ran away.

Police had to allegedly jump palisades to catch up to the suspect but arrested him once again in Walter Sisulu Street.

The street value of the drugs found is estimated at R500.

SANCA (South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependance) is having a ‘Kick your Habit’ sports day on Friday, June 28. The purpose of this campaign is to raise awareness of the complexities related to addiction and dependence.

The campaign seeks to build awareness through experience; by challenging individuals within our communities and country to stop using one ‘thing’ for a week and experience, albeit briefly, what a substance dependent might go through in treatment.

With experience comes education and this is the ultimate aim of the campaign. Whether this ‘thing’ is caffeine, tobacco, chocolate, or even shopping, is entirely up to the individual’s discretion; however, it is important to consider your choice and select the habit that you can identify using on a regular basis.

Keeping a daily log, or even an online blog of your progress is encouraged, as this will create awareness for the difficulties faced by dependents on a daily basis.

SANCA is asking all South Africans to join the challenge and to challenge each other during the week.

SANCA National wants to partner with broadcasting networks, individuals, community groups and companies within the country to help raise this awareness through their specific medium.

The long term objective being to raise awareness around substance use and dependence, and to begin confronting the stigma that is attached to substance use disorders.

By having media on board and challenging the public to take part in the campaign SANCA believes we will be able to reach more people and begin educating the general public about the difficulties related to quitting a substance.

By raising awareness of the difficulties related to substance use and abuse we take a step closer to lowering the incidence and rates of substance use within our country.

It is our responsibility as citizens of this country to work together to build a brighter future for the next generation.