Drug prevention campaign for thousands in Eldorado Park
The Ke Moja drug prevention programme, reached a total of 1,113 children and a further 1,224 youths while 3,028 were seen through door-to-door campaigns aimed at educating community members on the negative effects of alcohol and drug abuse.
This campaign set out to prevent young people from experimenting with drugs. The Eldorado Park community says they welcome progress made in addressing drug abuse in their area.
According to the Gauteng Provincial Government, the BOSASA Youth Development Centre currently renders early intervention programmes to 120 children who were identified as being a target for drug peddlers.
In addition, 11 children were placed in alternative care and 158 adults participated in diversion programmes addressing drug dependency challenges.
The Department of Social Development has expanded the bed capacity at BOSASA, Golden Harvest and Ithemba Treatment Centres by providing an additional 82 beds.
These centres prioritise admissions from Eldorado Park. There is currently just one funded out-patient treatment centre in the suburb.
Recent reports from the Department of Community Safety indicate that 1,705 people were arrested in Eldorado Park for drug possession resulting in 2,000 Mandrax tablets and 147kgs of dagga being confiscated.
The department says 290 drunk drivers were arrested and 29 people were detained on charges of the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. At least 222 rounds of ammunition were confiscated.
It says that the 311 successful convictions ensured that fewer drug peddlers were operating on the streets of Eldorado Park.