New ‘dangerous’ drug mix in Pretoria
A highly addictive new drug designer drug which eats away at the user’s skin has hit the streets of Pretoria.
|||Pretoria - A new and highly addictive drug called ‘krokodile’ has hit the streets of Pretoria and efforts to curb the scourge of drug abuse in the city are being intensified.
This was revealed on Thursday during the launch of the anti-drug and substance movement by the City of Tshwane in Saulsville where the chairman of the local anti-drug action committee spoke about the new drug. Addressing scores of people at Saulsville sports arena, Goodwill Makhubu described the drug as highly addictive.
“Despite our fight against drugs that have been prevalent in our communities, we find that more designer drugs such as krokodile are filtering into our townships. It is very addictive and can kill a person within two years of using it,” said Makhubu. Krokodile is said to be a concoction of heroin and methamphetamine (crystal meth).
Warrant Officer Hermanus van der Berg, from Pretoria Central policing cluster, said the drug has been around a for a few years, but has posed a major problem since surfacing on the streets of Pretoria recently. “The effects of this drug are unpleasant,” Van der Berg said. “It starts to eat away at the skin where the user injected it into their body. It’s quite dangerous,” said the officer.
However, despite the surfacing of the drug, Van der Berg is confident that police are winning the war on drugs. “From what we see on the streets and the arrests we make, harsher sentences are being handed down on both users and dealers.”
City of Tshwane MMC for social development Eulender Mabusela urged residents and non-profit organisations to come forth and work with the municipality in assisting to fight drugs and substance abuse. “Parents need to talk to their children and provide them with support and hope to overcome addiction,” said Mabusela.
She said the city sent 350 recovering addicts for rehabilitation, but said it would all be in vain if proper support structures were not implemented to assist them in their road to recovery. Former footballer and commentator Jabu Mahlangu was also at the launch. He gave an account of how drugs and alcohol nearly destroyed his life while he was at the peak of his football career.
“The alcohol abuse stifled my career to the point where it ended without me reaching my full potential. As you grow up you become more mature.
“I have learned my lessons,” said Mahlangu.
He began drinking as an 11-year-old. He continued the habit when he joined Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs, where he went Awol several times. Despite his addiction to alcohol and drugs, Mahlangu said he was grateful to his wife for the support throughout that period in his life. He is now a football analyst and motivational speaker.
Pretoria News