RURAL TOWNS CHILD DRUG HOTSPOTS

DIMBAZA - Three rural towns - Engcobo, Dimbaza and Mqanduli - have
been identified as drug and alcohol abuse "hotspots" in the Eastern
Cape for children under 11 years of age.

The most abused substances are said to be dagga and cheap
wine.

Social Development MEC Neo Moerane-Mamase, speaking at a weekend event
marking International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking,
said the three towns had been identified as pilot areas where the
provincial government would fight substance abuse among children.

"It's shocking to learn that children as young as 11 years old are
addicted to drugs - dagga and alcohol in particular - in these areas,"
Moerane-Mamase said in the Moses Twebe Hall.

She said drug dealers were targeting young children for
drug-trafficking and dealing.

Being rural areas, substance abuse should be very low in those parts,
Moerane-Mamase said.

The MEC said there were about 70 cases of dagga abuse and 120 cases of
alcohol abuse on average per month involving children in Dimbaza.

"This has led to high crime activities by teenagers and has resulted
in their being arrested," said Moarane-Mamase.

In Mqanduli, dagga had been identified as the most abused drug by
children under 11 years of age.

"It is sad to read and hear about hijackings committed by children as
young as 11 years old. It's shocking," said Meorane-Mamase.

She urged role models including sport personalities and community
leaders to help fight abuse of substances in these identified areas as
well as other parts. "They need to turn around the situation in these
areas. We want focused youth.

"If we don't do something urgently this will get out of hand and we
will find this country in the hands of drunkards, drug abusers,
drug-dealers and criminals generally," she said.

The government was doing its best to address the issue of substance
abuse and was currently establishing a master plan on fighting drug
abuse, the MEC said.

Public Works and Roads MEC Sam Kwelita, Buffalo City mayoral committee
member Sithembiso Tyilo, councillor Andile Ntoni, boxer Wele Maqolo
and former Robben Island prisoner Moses Twebe, who were the role
models of the township, were urged by Moerane- Mamase to ensure the
situation in Dimbaza was changed for the better.

Kwelita said people like him and others should contribute to the
community by fighting drug abuse and curb the increase of crime.

Maqolo said youth should be kept busy with sport.