The scourge of drug use and the impact it has on the lives of youth in the townships was discussed at the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature on Thursday. 

Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPL’s) pointed the blame at illegal immigrants, weak border controls, lack of rehabilitation centres, no job opportunities and corruption in the police services.

They agreed that drugs were easily available on most street corners.

The MPL’s said that drugs had destroyed families and once flourishing communities.  

Simanga Mabaso, MPL and a member of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), brought the topic for debate to get justice. Mabaso added that drugs have made inroads in rural areas. He said the statistics paint a grim picture of the problem 

“We have seen heartbreaking scenes of South African youth, prioritising drugs over food. Where are the comprehensive drug programmes and crackdown on corrupt officials enabling this plague? We demand immediate steps, stricter drug awareness campaigns, with no more excuses while our children are dying,” he said. 

Wiseman Mkhize, another MPL for the MKP, said there was a crisis in the province with a silent war being waged on the poor and vulnerable. Mkhize also asked for a list of rehabilitation centres in each township. He called for more investments in youth hubs to create mentorship skills. 

“Drugs are breaking apart families, weakening social cohesion and pushing communities into fear and hopelessness. This crisis did not appear overnight. It is a result of years of government neglect, failed economic policies and lack of political will to deal decisively with the root causes of drug abuse. 

“Why are youth programmes underfunded, inconsistent or nonexistent in areas where they are needed most? Why are these drug dealers roaming free while victims of addiction are arrested, stigmatised and forgotten?” Mkhize said. 

Mkhize called for the establishment of mobile township-based rehab centres that are free and staffed with professionals who understand that addiction is a health issue and not just a criminal one. 

Mncedisi Maphisa, MPL for IFP, said drugs are robbing children of a future.

“Anyone can walk into certain streets and, without difficulties, purchase any drug substance directly from these syndicates. If our security forces are not compensated, then you cannot expect them to protect us. Build police services that are well-resourced and free from corruption. Our children cannot be raised in communities where drugs and crime are fashionable. If we fail to act, our children will be victims,” Maphisa said. 

Fikile Masiko, ANC-MPL, said that schools watch bright learners fall into addiction while communities live in fear of drug lords destroying futures and enriching themselves. Themba Mabaso, an MKP-MPL, called for greater collaboration with Community Policing Forums.

Shontel de Boer, DA-MPL, said the government cannot ignore the painful cries of a community, especially the youth. She said that substance abuse has become normalised because of an absence of mental health support and a lack of job opportunities

“Drug dealers are recruiting children in schools and tertiary institutions, showing no shame in turning our places of learning into fear and addiction. Townships have been completely infiltrated. Parents need to play a more active role in children’s lives. Local leaders must rise and say enough is enough. We cannot afford to lose another generation to drugs,” she said.

Thobisile Nkosi, EFF-MPL, called for more education workshops with children on substance abuse to reduce the pressure of drug abuse. Sizophila Mkhize, ANC-MPL, said drug abuse is robbing the country of its future leaders and innovators. 

Siphiwe Mbatha, MKP-MPL, said we should be celebrating a generation of builders and leaders and innovators, but instead we have youth abusing drugs. He said that drugs have become the daily economy of our streets. 

“Why must graduates carry CV’s while drug lords carry cash. Is this the generation we are proud to present,” he said. 

Cynthia Shinga, MEC for Social Development in KZN, said that the government has expanded treatment centres and half way houses so that rehabilitation is accessible even for the poor. 

She proposed the following steps to make the fight effective: 

• Whole of government approach 
• Strengthen detox and mental health services 
• Department of Education must integrate drug programmes in school
• Rehabilitation must be coupled with opportunity 
• Province must adopt a real time monitoring system 

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za 

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