Pubdate: Fri, 04 Jun 2004
Source: Pretoria News, The (South Africa)
Copyright: 2004 The Pretoria News
Contact:  http://www.pretorianews.co.za
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2962

MINISTER BREAKS DOWN IN TEARS

An emotional Jean Benjamin, Deputy Minister of Social Development, broke 
down and cried during a debate in the National Assembly on mapping out 
plans to help young children hooked on drugs.

"Enough is enough," she said in Afrikaans, speaking through sobs. "Our 
children must be protected."

Benjamin said the department needed to launch a "total onslaught" on drug 
merchants who were targeting children as young as 14, saying the latest 
drug crazes like tuk-tuk and crystal meth were impacting on the "emotional, 
spiritual, mental and moral" development of children. She said the Ke Moja 
campaign against drug abuse would be extended to all provinces by the end 
of the year.

Benjamin said she was concerned that South Africa's legislative framework 
was not able to keep up with rapid changes taking place in the drug 
industry. - Political Staff.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart