Gauteng to fight drug abuse in Eldorado Park

Gauteng will set up a task team to fight drug abuse in Eldorado Park, south of Johannesburg, premier Nomvula Mokonyane's office said on Wednesday.

"This team will further discuss this matter and table possible solutions," said Mokonyane's spokesman Thebe Mohatle.

President Jacob Zuma, several Cabinet ministers and Mokonyane visited Eldorado Park on Tuesday after parents wrote to Zuma about a drug problem in the area.

Zuma and the ministers heard from parents about how drugs were widely available, and led to children being hooked from a young age.

The parents said police in the area turned a blind eye to drug dealers.

At the venue, Zuma said Mokonyane had pledged to first help Doreleene James's 17-year-old son with his drug addiction.

He said he would personally take charge of the drive to rid the area of drug dens, called "lolli lounges", and drug peddlers.

The task team would also look at putting addicts into safe homes, said Mohatle.