Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced the successful launch of the Tswa Daar initiative, his latest anti-substance abuse campaign, which has already admitted 650 young people.

On Monday, a significant number of individuals seeking help for substance abuse gathered at seven designated centres for screening and admission.

Lesufi, who led the campaign from Tembisa, thanked parents and community members for their support in launching the programme.

“Let the venues be full so that everyone can be treated. I want to thank you, parents, for heeding this call. Some people have been warning me not to start this campaign. I said I am going to do it, and I am proud that today, here we are with children who need help, and here we are with more than 650  young people who are on their way to rehab centres, ” he said.

Lesufi affirmed his administration’s commitment to eradicating the drug scourge and prosecuting those who supply drugs to children. To this end, he has instructed Provincial Police Commissioner General Tommy Mthombeni to lead an aggressive campaign against drug peddlers.

“I have spoken to the provincial commissioner of police; if he can’t arrest almost 175 drug lords across Gauteng, his job is over, because we need to protect our children. Therefore, we cannot allow drug cartels to ruin the future of our children. We can’t allow drug lords to sell drugs to our children.”

The premier, a strong advocate for the campaign, urged parents and communities to continue supporting young people struggling with substance abuse.

He stressed: “We must not abandon and forget them. We must give them love, and we must change their lives so that they can come back for a better life, and the government has the honour to lead.”

A key component of the Tswa Daar campaign is the empowerment of young people with practical skills upon completing their rehabilitation.

Lesufi stated: “When these young people come back from rehab, we are going to give them skills that will enable them to get jobs, so that they don’t go back to the problems of nyaope,” he added. 

During the campaign in Soweto on Monday, Khumo Kgomoeswane, representing provincial Social Development, highlighted that crystal meth has surpassed nyaope as the most frequently used drug among young people, accounting for 65% of substance abuse cases in Gauteng.

Nyaope was previously the dominant drug of choice among urban youth.

Prior to its launch, the provincial government indicated that the campaign aimed to mobilise various government departments, including healthcare professionals and social workers, to provide immediate assistance to individuals grappling with substance dependency.

The programme encompasses medical assessments, outpatient treatment services, and admissions to rehabilitation centres for those requiring intensive support.

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za

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