War against drugs is hard but worth fighting

In October, the Sunday Times Extra broke the story of a convicted drug dealer serving out a sentence that required him to sweep, clean and dust Chatsworth police station.

The man is a repeat offender and the impact of having a convicted drug dealer walking the halls of a police station, possibly gathering information about future raids on drug dealers, raised the ire of the community - including Sam Pillay of the Anti-Drug Forum.

Pillay called for an investigation into the matter and asked that the man be removed.

The farce surrounding the dealer's sentence, said Pillay, was a prime example of the extent to which drugs had permeated the community and the system.

Addiction in the community has long been an issue. In 2005, it got worse with the introduction of sugars.

Sugars, described as a designer drug at the time, ravaged the community, resulting in petty and serious crimes .

Over the years, desperate users have become more innovative, resorting to any means to feed their habits: stealing scrap metal, using unhygienic methods to offer youngsters cheap tattoos, prostitution - all for a quick buck and a fix.

This year, the heartbreaking effects of drug abuse were highlighted in the case of Chatsworth woman Desiree Murugan.

Her habit led to her being singled out by a group of gullible youngsters, searching for the head of an Indian woman at the command of a sangoma.

Murugan, a 39-year-old mother of one, had turned to prostitution in an attempt to feed her habit.

Her half-naked torso was found in a field at Shallcross Stadium in August.

She had been decapitated.

Months later, her mother, Sivapurani, is still receiving counselling over the loss of her firstborn.

One of the men involved in Murugan's death received a life sentence. Four others (including two minors) are awaiting trial.

Pillay believes that combating the drug scourge by taking on the dealers is an exercise in futility.

It is education, rather, that is the key.

"We can't win the war by getting rid of drug dealers. Not with the way the legal system is at the moment.

"We need to reduce the consumption of drugs in the long run.

"That starts with education from a young age so that we give our children all the tools to make an informed choice. For me that is the answer.

"We won't see much of an impact by next year, obviously, but in the next few years for sure."

Pillay's frustration springs from the light sentences handed down to known drug dealers.

In 2013, alleged drug dealer Teddy Mafia's home was raided for the second time in as many years.

He was released on bail despite R5-million worth of drugs (heroine, sugars, steroids and cocaine) being found. The year before, police had discovered about R1-million worth of heroin at his home. No one was arrested.

This year alone, three upmarket homes across KwaZulu-Natal have been raided after police discovered foreigners manufacturing illegal substances for sale. The men are in prison, awaiting trial.

Pillay is optimistic that the community will overcome the affliction of addiction.

"I am hopeful. I see the war against drugs being won. I don't feel like I'm beating my head against the wall.

"I won't give up, I will continue with this work until the day the laws change and there are affordable detox programmes available."

Meanwhile, despite all of this, Chatsworth police station's newest custodian remains a constant figure at the station, sweeping floors, cleaning toilets and dusting desks every Saturday.