Codeine โCough Syrup โAbuse: Authorities Warn of Rising trend Among โขChildren
Cape Town,South Africa – Parents are being urged to โbe vigilant as authorities report a disturbing increase โขin children and teenagers misusing codeine-containing cough syrup to get high,with warnings the substance is also being linked to date rape incidents. Theโข alert comesโค following the finding of numerous empty cough syrup bottles and a โsuspect foundโ with sealed bottles, cash, and drug โขledgers in a recent operation in Lavender Hill.
The misuse of codeine syrupโ represents a growing public โhealth and โขsafety concern.While the medication itself is legal, theโ bulk sale of โcodeine-containing products without aโ license is unlawful. Authoritiesโฃ are particularly alarmed by reports ofโ the syrup being used as a date rape โdrug, andโ the potential for addiction and other serious โhealth consequences in young people.
“This is โa dangerous โmixture,” warned [Name not provided, presumed to be a spokesperson – article does not specify], emphasizing theโ risks associated withโค unsupervised codeine consumption.”We are calling โคon the public to โreport anyone – individuals or businessesโฃ – โputting theseโฃ substances in the โhands of children.”
A joint operation in Lavender Hill recentlyโ uncovered discarded empty cough syrup bottles โฃin public areas, and a suspectโ possessing multiple sealed bottles, โcash, โand whatโข appeared to be drug ledgers. Though, responding SAPS โฃofficersโ reportedly declined โขto lay charges, citing the legality of the product.
This decision has drawn criticism, with concerns raised about inconsistent enforcement. โ”[Name not provided] pushed back, citing that bulk sales of codeine-containing medication without aโ license is unlawful,โค and noted that other police โstations have previously pursued cases in similar โcontexts.”
The matter is now being escalated to Western Cape Police Oversight and Community safetyโ MEC Anroux Marais, with a call for a standardized approach toโ dealing with โฃcodeine-related abuse across all SAPS stations.
residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity, particularly involving sales to minors, via the following channels:
Tip-offโ line: 0800 110 077
emergency line: 107 (from aโ landline)
Authorities stress the โคimportance of community involvement โin preventing further harm.
