Call for a national anti-drug unit to combat rising violence

‘TREAT FIRE WITH FIRE’

- CANDICE SOOBRAMONEY

AT A NATIONAL Assembly Plenary Session on Thursday, MK Party MP Visvin Reddy had called for a national, independent anti-drug unit to be established.

The unit, he said, must be empowered to raid, seize and make arrests quickly, effectively and fearlessly.

Speaking to the POST, Reddy said it had reached a stage where one must "treat fire with fire".

He was referring to drug dealers, who, he added, were infiltrating far too many homes across the country.

"Gang warfare and drive-by shootings are all related to drugs and who controls areas. The easy prey are children.

“Once these kids are exposed to drugs, there is no turning back. It is time to break the chains of silence, speak out, and stand together as communities.

“Drug dealers must be arrested and put behind bars. We need a team with the power to arrest without a court order."

Reddy also called for a dedicated budget for rehabilitation services, and the roll-out of a methadone-based treatment programme for drug users that the government must fund.