Substance-abuse counsellors are encouraging the relatives and friends of drug addicts and alcoholics to open up about their problems, particularly during the festive season when drug and alcohol abuse tends to increase. They are also urged to contact support groups set up to cater specifically for them. On Tuesday, Carry Bekker, programme director and co-founder of Stepping Stones Addiction Centre in Kommetjie, said families with drug-addicted or alcoholic members often struggled to cope. "And it's worse during the festive season, because bonuses are paid out, there's more money to spend, and more alcohol and drugs are bought. [continues 121 words]
Western Cape premier Ebrahim Rasool has asked the Inspector General of Intelligence to investigate an allegation by Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille that senior intelligence sources had told her of a plan to infiltrate Padlac with agents provocateurs who would distribute guns "to discredit her" and the anti-drug campaign. "These are extremely serious allegations and should be dealt with as seriously," Rasool said last night. And, in a move Zille regards as "absolute rubbish and outrageous", he has also ordered a probe into whether she used public money from the city to support any of her activities with Padlac (People Against Drugs and Liquor Action Committee) in Mitchells Pain. [continues 529 words]
