By Obakeng Maje
Taung– The Social Development is confident that its integrated approach to social crime prevention is delivering positive results.

A total of beneficiaries were reached through the alcohol and drug prevention and awareness campaign in Matolong village, Taung.

Through the ‘Ke Moja’ drug prevention programme, children and youth were reached, while beneficiaries were reached through door-to-door campaigns.

The campaign educates community members on the negative effects of alcohol and drug abuse as well as preventing young people from experimenting with drugs.

The Matolong community says they welcome progress made in addressing drug abuse in their community.

According to the Saps, Public Safety department, Health department and Social Development are currently rendering early intervention programmes to children who were identified as being impressionable to drug peddlers.

“We have identified Matolong village because many people come from this area and asked for our intervention. The use of drugs and alcohol abuse is rife in the area” Rendani Mmereki said.

In addition, Mmereki said they have rehabilitation centres across the province and they place people who want to go to rehab there.

“We place our victims in alternative care and also accommodate adult to participate in diversion programmes in addressing drug dependency challenges because they live and experience this through their children who are using them” she said.

These centres prioritise admissions from areas across the province.

Recent reports from the Department of Community Safety indicate that for the possession of drugs and dagga, Matolong is in front. The department said they will ensure that drug peddlers will indeed be removed from the streets of Matolong.

“We want to show support to campaigns like this because the use of drugs and alcohol, affect us all. Substance abuse is destroying the future of the youth” Public Safety representative, Tebogo Serage said.

According to shocking reports, most foreigners who own businesses like tuckshops allegedly sell drugs to the locals.-TDN
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