ANC asking for urgent attention on heroin in the Western Cape

By Marthe van der Wolf
16 October 2007

An ANC member of parliament is asking for urgent attention to be drawn to heroin-abuse in the Western Cape. The drug is getting more and more grip on the youth, especially on the Cape Flats.

"What was once very expensive drug is becoming more accesible and more affordable," says Member of Parliament Ellen Prins.

According to research conducted by the Medical Research Counil, there has been an increase of 12 to 14 per cent in teen heroin cases in the province in the past year. The MRC says that heroin has become more available in the coloured areas where tik is also available. These two drugs combined have a devastating combination.

As tik is getting more expensive, the youth moves on to other drugs such as heroin. ANC MP Prins is calling on parliamentarians as she says this situation is becoming an emergency.