​Premier Panyaza Lesufi vows that Gauteng Provincial Government will intensify its fight against nyaope.
Lesufi spoke passionately about the painful impact of nyaope on its users, families and on society as a whole and expressing his intention to fight drugs on the street of Gauteng.

The newly appointed MEC for Social Development, Agriculture, Rural Development Mbali Hlophe, said Gauteng government will use all the resources in their disposal and the full might of the state to turn the tide against the nyaope and other related drugs.

Hlophe was speaking during a media briefing at Umnotho House in Johannesburg where she was outlining department’s plans to tackle issues of homelessness, poverty, and substance abuse.

“The Department of Social Development is the lead agent in the administration of the; Prevention of and Treatment of Substance Abuse Act No 70 of 2008. Part of the deliverables of the Act is to reduce the demand of drugs in communities, through our Ke Moja programme we seek to grow as a means to eradicate drug use and intake within our communities, especially amongst youth”, Hlophe said

She added that the Gauteng provincial government remains committed to fighting poverty, homelessness and substance abuse as the Premier was unambiguous in government’s commitment and plans. She further applauded the department’s TV series ‘Kick It’ awareness campaign on SABC1. The successful programme won SAFTA awards for Best Factual Educational Programme.

Hlophe said the Premier is currently leading a team that will ensure the implementation of the facility he pronounced on during his announcement of his new cabinet and said these plans will be communicated by the Premier and our Department in due course.

She said in the interim, the Department will be maximizing admissions in all 1 400 plus treatment beds, intensifying aftercare including skills development, education, bursaries, and so on.

“Our strategy will work with young people to educate them about the harms of substance abuse and to convert them into ambassadors”, she added.

Hlophe said that whilst the department funds NPO-led rehabilitation centres across Gauteng, it also runs it’s a rehabilitation centre, namely Dr F & F Ribeiro treatment centre, in Cullinan, Tshwane which has a capacity of 200 beds.