Crime-fighters in Strandfontein have raised the alarm over laaities using prescription medication to get high.
Community Police Forum (CPF) chairperson Sandy Schuter says the use of cough syrup and Xanax is rampant in the Cape Flat community calling parents to be wakker.
Recently three bottles of Stilpane cough syrup were found in a public space and shared on social media to warn parents.
The syrup, containing the highly addictive substance codeine, is mixed with cooldrink to make a concoction called “lean”.
“The use of these concoctions is rampant in the area and is being used by children in other communities like Steenberg,” says Schuter.
“In Grassy Park, police have even made arrests of the dealers.
“In Strandfontein, we find the teens getting high in various public parks and they pour the syrup into a cooldrink bottle.
“So when you see them and question them they say no, they just drinking Sprite, but we can see the Sprite is purple and it has been mixed with something else.”
She says they have also found laaities buying Xanax pills for just R3 to get high.
The prescription drug is used to treat anxiety.
“Someone is selling this to the children and they think this is something kwaai to experiment with, but they are addictive.
“As the CPF we are calling on parents to be aware and for anyone with information about these dealers to come forward and piemp them, and any youth who wants help can come to the (police) station.”
monique.duval@inl.co.za