Community calls for drug clampdown in Brackenham

SUBSTANCE abuse, drugs in particular, has left a devastating impact on many families in Brackenham, a community rife with drug activity.

The community’s leaders, community policing forum, ministers fraternal and local councillors are calling for immediate action to be taken against people dealing and supplying drugs in the area, with some drug houses having been in operation for decades.

Ward 26 councillor AS Dawood said drugs has become a scourge in this community and together with the Community Policing Forum (CPF) they have called for these unscrupulous and illegal operations to be shut down.

‘Parents are not aware of their children’s whereabouts and even when children ask for money they are not questioned about what the money is being used for.

‘We must at all times, monitor our children, their whereabouts and what activities they are engaging in.

‘Our parents must take responsibility and continually monitor their children and watch for signs of drug use,’ warned Dawood.

Meanwhile, Reverend Vincent Benjamin of the Brackenham Ministers Fraternal confirmed that drugs is taking a heavy toll on the community with many families seeking assistance and counselling from the local ministers.

‘Drugs are a major problem, especially with scholars and the youth and it is destroying families.

‘Everyone knows the drug houses and the reality is people are afraid of being victimised, but this issue must be confronted and we rely on the police to help end this problem.

‘There have been numerous successful drug busts and arrests but the problem persists,’ said Benjamin.

Help

SANCA Zululand Director Shireen Sahadev said the sad reality is that drugs are a huge problem in many areas, but they receive few referrals from the Brackenham community.

‘The number of people contacting us from Brackenham to access treatment is relatively low but we know that families can sometimes seek help in other avenues.

‘Substance abuse is an illness and once people admit they have a problem help can be provided.

‘Families should not feel ashamed or embarrassed because addicts need help to overcome addiction.

‘We have options available to help those battling addiction and we also provide life-skills programmes and substance abuse awareness at schools, business and groups,’ said Sahadev.