‘Noma Yini’ Drug addicts urged to seek aid

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Drug addicts have been urged to aid during Ke Moja Friday awareness campaign in Heidelberg.

Gauteng social development MEC Faith Mazibuko visited three different hangout-spots in the area where she interacted with young and old batting with substance abuse.

The MEC encouraged them to grasp the opportunity that the government is presenting for them to reclaim their lives by going for rehabilitation.

During the interaction with the substance users at the hostel, Mazibuko lamented the cruelty of people who are selling drugs to the youth, saying they are destroying what is supposed to be a brighter future for the country.

She raised concern about the easy availability of drugs within townships, adding that communities must work together to remove drugs from their streets.

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“Government cannot win this battle alone; we need all hands-on deck; we must work together with all the stakeholders.

“My children, I want you to go and get help. I want you to change this life of taking drugs and become responsible people who live a normal life like everyone else, away from addiction,” she remarked.

Light of dawn for drug addicts

The department announced that forty young people who are eager to quit drugs were reached out and they are all going to be taken to the treatment centre where a space has been secured for them.

It also highlighted that among those who was 24-year-old from Ratanda, who has been fighting addiction since 2016, and she said she is looking forward to getting help.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, South Africa has a high rate of substance abuse among young people, which includes both in and out of school youth.

“Despite reported stigma and associated reluctance to seek treatment for substance abuse, an increase in young people aged 20 years seeking treatment for substance abuse, is an indication of the gravity of the problem,” the center reported.