Police target schools to clamp down on 'Mercedes' drug
KZN police say they will be conducting surprise raids at the start of the second school term to crack down on the spread of the so-called 'Mercedes' drug which is believed to have led to the deaths of at least four young people in Durban.
The drug is now said to have made its way to Pietermaritzberg with reports 23 school pupils were hospitalised during the Easter holiday.
The police's Thulani Zwane says police have also targeted drug prone areas.
"We conducted a raid after we received information and we arrested some people for possession of drugs," she said.
Also read: Support for families after two youths die following alleged drug binge
Meanwhile Health MEC, Sibongiseni Dhlomo says their ambulances picked up two pupils from the Marianhill area who were showing symptoms of an overdose just this morning.
He is appealing to parents to monitor their children's behaviour closely.
"They show signs of visual hallucinations, auditory hallucinations, being aggressive sometimes withdrawn showing signs of abdominal pain and vomiting.
"So we treat them symptomatically by giving them drips, and other treatment that will stop the drug expanding in their blood vessels. And therefore sit with them and give them psychotherapy before leaving hospital," he said.
The Mercedes drug which is a concoction of ecstasy claimed the lives of a Grade 10 pupil and another in KwaMashu three weeks ago.
(File photo)