Statement by the City’s Executive Mayor, Patricia de Lille
City launches next phase of the ‘I have a drug problem’
campaign
The campaign we launch today is the next phase of the substance abuse
campaign that we initiated two years ago. This year we are building on the
message that drug use affects every single one of us, by declaring that
substance abuse is everyone’s problem, and that combating the scourge is
everyone’s responsibility.
Two years ago we initiated the ‘Don’t start, Be smart’ campaign, which was
focused on drug users.
Last year we changed the focus of our substance abuse message to address
the demand problem. We launched the ‘I have a drug problem’ campaign
which was built on the premise that drugs not only affect those using them,
but also their families and the community at large. The campaign was a
rousing success. We had an 883% increase in the number of calls to our 24hour helpline, reached 4,8 million people through traditional media channels,
and an additional 2 million through social media.
As part of this year’s campaign, we would like to urge residents to report drug
dealers in order to address the supply problem. For too long these criminals
have crippled our communities and ruined the lives of our children.
Community members can put a stop to this.
All that stands between a drug dealer operating on the streets or going to jail
is the information that residents can supply. We need people to come
forward and give us that information so that we can take the necessary
action to incarcerate these criminals. Anyone with information is urged to
report individuals selling drugs by calling our 24-hour helpline on 0800 43 57
48.
Over the next few months we will be running adverts featuring three local
celebrities who will share how substance abuse has affected their lives. They
are Siv Ngesi, Jimmy Nevis and Aidan Bennett. We will also share the stories of
everyday people such as a teacher, a pastor and a doctor to underscore
that drugs affect people from all walks of life.
This campaign forms part of a R37,8 million investment by the City of Cape
Town to combat substance abuse in the metro this year. Most of this funding
has been apportioned to the Metro Police, who work in conjunction with the
South African Police Service to restrict the supply and distribution of drugs.
Substance abuse is often linked to criminal acts such as theft, robbery and
housebreaking. Drugs are the core of the gang economy.
Since July 2012, the City’s Metro Police have confiscated 70 069 units of
narcotics with an estimated street value of R3,23 million. They have also
conducted 4 799 searches and made 5 404 drug-related arrests. We have
also shut down three drug labs.
We would also like to encourage those who need assistance in fighting their
addiction to make use of our 24-hour helpline. This is one of the ways in which
they can access one of our five drug and alcohol treatment sites, where the
City offers a free16-week outpatient treatment programme. This programme
enables recovering addicts to receive support from their families while they
attend the treatment centres.
It must be emphasised that our efforts alone will not end the devastation of
drugs. But if each member of society stands with us, we have a real chance
to make a difference. Let us work together to face and fight our drug
problem.