28 Nov 2013

The Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Ramadeluka Seretse says 3 314 cases involving possession and use of illegal drugs were recorded between January 2011 and October 2013.

Answering a question in Parliament from MP for South East South, Mr Odirile Motlhale, Minister Seretse said of the 3 314 cases recorded, 3 284 were for dagga, while 24 involved the use of cocaine and six involved possession of ephedrine.

He explained that a further breakdown of the numbers reveal that students were involved in 107 cases all of which were for dagga adding that there were 2767 cases recorded for possession by employed persons. He said 410 cases involved possession by unemployed persons and these included 30 cases of cocaine and ephedrine.

The minister explained that measures that had been put in place to combat illegal use of drugs to include school outreach programmes to teach pupils about illegal drugs and their danger, educational and awareness programmes on radio and television to sensitise people about the dangers of drug use, border patrols to prevent the influx of drugs into the country.

MP Motlhale had wanted the Minister to brief parliament on the prevalence of hand drugs in the country, stating the number of cases recorded in schools, public service as well as the wider society.He had also wanted the Minister to further state measures in place to address the situation. ENDS