MINISTER BREAKS DOWN IN TEARS

An emotional Jean Benjamin, Deputy Minister of Social Development, broke
down and cried during a debate in the National Assembly on mapping out
plans to help young children hooked on drugs.

"Enough is enough," she said in Afrikaans, speaking through sobs. "Our
children must be protected."

Benjamin said the department needed to launch a "total onslaught" on drug
merchants who were targeting children as young as 14, saying the latest
drug crazes like tuk-tuk and crystal meth were impacting on the "emotional,
spiritual, mental and moral" development of children. She said the Ke Moja
campaign against drug abuse would be extended to all provinces by the end
of the year.

Benjamin said she was concerned that South Africa's legislative framework
was not able to keep up with rapid changes taking place in the drug
industry. - Political Staff.