The Democratic Alliance (DA) is ramping up support for a petition to put pressure on the Northern Cape Department of Social Development to expand access to drug rehabilitation services in Emthanjeni municipality’s drug infested towns.
Communities of De Aar, Hanover and Britstown are in turmoil, as they witness a growing number of young people becoming enslaved to drugs. This is supported by numerous research papers exposing high drug use in the Northern Cape, with learners reportedly using at a very young age. Alcohol abuse is also rampant in De Aar, notorious for its exceptionally high rates of foetal alcohol syndrome.
Addressing substance abuse is not only the responsibility of the Department of Social Development. It requires a whole-of-society approach from all sectors, including law enforcement and health. The situation on the ground, however, is critical and Social Development must lead an intervention.
This is even more important, following the decision by the Foundation for Alcohol Related Research (FARR), to close its doors. FARR played a pivotal role in De Aar and surrounding communities, with its evidence-based interventions and community centres that supported prevention and recovery.
The DA has met with staff of Social Development’s district office to discuss our concerns and are continuing to gather support for our petition. We will further embark on an anti-drugs march in July, to hand over our demands to make rehabilitation services available and more accessible for residents of Emthanjeni, to the department.
We have a massive and growing problem that cannot be solved by making individuals in pursuit of drug rehabilitation services, travel considerable distances and placing their names on lengthy waiting lists.
Emthanjeni must be supported to become drug free today, before we lose our youthful generation to substance abuse, tomorrow.