REUTERS
Getting high on drugs is becoming a way of life in rich suburbs in Durban.
Boredom and wealth have resulted in Durban’s affluent suburbs becoming home to organised drug dens where secret dealings among urban professionals and students have become a way of life.
This is the impression of drug counsellors, police and community police forums. They say that drug trading in suburbs like Hillcrest, Westville, Kloof, Durban North, uMhlanga and Ballito is out of control.
Ballito was recently in the spotlight after the death of gym instructor Craig Hall who is thought to have been caught up in a drug turf war.
Joey du Plessis, founder and director of the Careline Crisis and Trauma Centre in Hillcrest, said drug dealing was rife in the area. Dagga and “sugars” were the drugs of choice for younger users while those who continued the habit opted for harder drugs.
“It’s the rich and they only get the best. They are all professionals and have special contacts who they get their drugs from. It’s all done through networks.”
Du Plessis said only about 10 percent of users were addicted. Wealthy users had no problem paying R1 400 for a “moon” – about 4cm of crack cocaine.
The trade was also prevalent in Westville.
“It is all networked, like a dirty little secret,” said Westville police spokesman Stephen Clark.
“It is rife especially among urban professionals – those in their late thirties and early forties. They’re either self-employed or executives who can afford it. To them using drugs is not an issue. Snorting cocaine is like drinking coffee.”
Private investigator Brad Nathanson said 50 percent of domestic cases he investigated were linked to drugs with Hillcrest, Ballito and central Durban the worst areas.
“With affluent users, the drug is cocaine,” he said, warning that bulking agents used in cocaine posed the greatest dangers to users. He said people bought drugs at petrol stations, from car guards and club bouncers, and, he said, he knew of a dealer in Ballito who had a motto that he delivered faster than pizza deliveries.
Haden Searles, chairman of the Durban North and Umhlanga Community Police Forum, said the drug trade was not out of control but rather considered by many as a lifestyle supplement.
“We have seen it from teens to people older than 45… the biggest problem is the ordering; you have to be in the know and have built up trust. It is very discreet – not a lot of stuff is being intercepted.”
A 21-year-old Durban North student, who recently stopped using drugs, said taking cocaine was “something to do”.
“I was not addicted… I would take ecstasy when I was partying because it gave me confidence and energy and I really enjoyed it.
“Cocaine was used as something to mellow me out after taking ecstasy after coming home from a party,” she said, adding that ecstasy was “extremely easy to get”.
“I once met a dealer outside (a popular entertainment venue) on the promenade. We exchanged money and drugs just by walking and talking.”
A 20-year old Kloof student said using ecstasy was almost “socially acceptable” and very common among teenagers and young adults.
“You only realise how easy it is to get drugs once you have taken them. They are right under our noses… You can get them anywhere. Sometimes in (shopping centre) parking lots, at a friend’s house, at nightclubs or outside a bank or hotel.”
SAPS spokesman Colonel Jay Naicker said drug use had no distinction in social status, race, religion or gender, but the perception was that it was increasing in affluent neighbourhoods. This was because of the increase in arrests of drug dealers and abusers, and the recovery of drugs in these areas.
