Tshwane MMC for Health has initiated a programme to offer basic first-aid and security awareness training for a group of 100 drug and substance abuse (DSA) marshals from Sectors 1, 2 and 3 in Region 1 of Tshwane. The programme was supported by the City’s Community Safety Cluster.
The DSA marshals are community members who volunteer their services to counter high crime rates in the Akasia suburb. They engage in regular patrols in hotspot areas. During the recruitment process, volunteers are subjected to screening for criminal records before being admitted into the programme.
The Akasia area is negatively affected by drug and substance abuse, notably among the youth. As part of efforts to counter this trend, DSA marshals are engaged in initiatives to ensure that schools are drug-free and safe from those that seek to exploit vulnerable learners.
Given that the DSA marshals are at the frontlines of the community, patrollers play a critical role and are viewed as the “eyes and ears” of law enforcement. It is therefore imperative, through the assistance of the City and other stakeholders, that they be capacitated and upskilled accordingly.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dave Miles of PPC Limited, who donated essentials such as reflector jackets, torches, pepper spray and first-aid kits to the group. It is our aim to complete training for the 100 DSA marshals by the end of January 2023.Said MMC.
“.I have already engaged with the Community and Social Development Services Department to collaborate with the Health Department on this project going forward. Added MMC.
