Boshoff represented a synopsis of a report done by the commission, which culminated in the Citizens' Forum's engagement on issues of drug and substance abuse.

He says during an oversight visit to various schools in Mangaung, the commission uncovered that external factors had negatively influenced the process of learning and teaching at these schools. He claims that at some schools they were told that school pupils, in particular boys, were not attending school and that drugs from outside were being peddled inside schools by drug mules.

Boshoff says drug and substance abuse is costing the country approximately R136 billion a year.

"These costs are a result of treatment, social development, policing, education and raising awareness. That is the reason why we have invited all these stakeholders, all these departments, including the South African Police Services (SAPS) and relevant provincial departments, to address the community on their experiences because they know what is happening," Boshoff added.

The Citizens’ Forum was set up to enable stakeholders, including government departments, to engage in discussions with citizens with a view to developing solutions to curb drug and substance abuse in communities.

The event was also attended by the PSC's national commissioner, Professor Somadoda Fikeni and Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela, among others.

While addressing officials and residents who had attended the event, Fikeni challenged citizens to reexamine the moral values and ethical issues when dealing with the scourge of drug and substance abuse. Fikeni said a country that lacks morals and ethics in decision-making always fails to deal with key issues impacting the same society, hence the use of drugs and substance abuse is escalating.

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