WATCH: Premier David Makhura to lead march against drugs in Eldorado Park
Gauteng Premier David Makhura will tackle drug and substance abuse in Eldorado Park, by leading a march in the area on Friday.
The Acting Deputy Director General of Local Economic Development and Business Regulation, Fati Manamela, said they were in Eldorado Park to raise awareness of excessive substance abuse.
Manamela said substance abuse leads to women and child abuse.
"The government has [a] responsibility to try and get people to move away from the abuse of substances and to lead clean and healthy lives free of drugs," he said.
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Resident Leanne Davids wants the provincial government to make more sports facilities available to get the youngsters off the streets.
"The drug issue in the community is rife, it is bad in Eldorado Park. It's on every corner, in every second household. It's easily accessible to the little children on the streets," she said.
#EldoradoDrugs Premier David Makhura has arrived.STM pic.twitter.com/XIgiM9OWRM
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) March 4, 2016
Premier Makhura has called for a more co-ordinated and multi-stakeholder forum to deal with drug and substance abuse, saying all sectors of society need to come on board.
"We want to work with religious leaders, sports personalities - you see many are here, musicians, artists are here," he said.
Musician Kabelo Mabalane spoke to JacarandaFM News.
JacarandaFM News spoke to some former drug addicts who shared their experiences.
Edited by Suné du Toit