The Democratic Alliance (DA) has handed over a petition to the MEC of Social Development, Nontobeko Vilakazi, demanding that access to drug rehabilitation services in Emthanjeni municipality’s drug infested towns is urgently expanded.
Today’s petition handover by Constituency Head of Bo-Karoo, Fawzia Rhoda, followed a march through De Aar on Friday. The march ended at the department’s Pixley ka Seme district office, where we presented the District Manager, Mr Henry Biko, with community grievances regarding difficulties experienced in getting help for addicts.
Rural towns, like De Aar, Hanover and Britstown are becoming drug dens. Communities are in crisis, as a growing number of young people are becoming enslaved to drugs. This is supported by numerous research papers exposing high drug usage in the Northern Cape, with learners reportedly using for the first time at a very young age. Alcohol abuse is also out of control in the region, which is notorious for exceptionally high rates of fetal alcohol syndrome.
While an increasing number of family members are desperately seeking help for their addicted children and grandchildren, help is not readily enough accessible. Instead, the escalating number of people in pursuit of drug rehabilitation services must travel considerable distances and place their names on lengthy waiting lists, sometimes at unaffordable costs.
This has been further aggravated by the decision of the Foundation for Alcohol Related Research (FARR), to close its doors in the Northern Cape. FARR played a pivotal role in De Aar and surrounding communities, with its evidence-based interventions and community centres that supported prevention and recovery.
While a whole-of-society approach from all sectors, including law enforcement and health, is required to address the scourge of substance abuse, we are calling on the Department of Social Development to take the lead by urgently expanding the availability of drug rehabilitation services within the Emthanjeni area.
A better future for Emthanjeni’s youth, hinges on them being able to access services that will help them break their debilitating dependence on drugs and alcohol.