An exploration of the policing approach of youth drug abuse in Katlehong

Abstract

Chapter 1 was the General orientation and research methodology. This is the first chapter of the research wherein the topic and its background was thoroughly discussed. Problem statement, aim of the research, purpose of the research, research questions and the research hypothesis were established in this chapter. The methodology used in this research was discussed and applied in chapter 3 when collecting data. This includes the research approach, population and sampling, data collection and analysis, measures for trustworthiness and ethical requirements. The research objectives of this study were as follows:  Establish the nature, processes and outcome of current policing methods used to police youth problem drug users in Katlehong.  Analyse and describe the content of NDMP in youth problem drug use.  Identify challenges in the policing approach of youth drug abusers.  Identify the role of NGOs and churches in the handling of youth who are drug abusers.  Make recommendations to the youth desk of the Katlehong police on how to best deal with youth problem drug users. The aim of the study was to explore the policing approach in youth drug abuse in Katlehong the data was collected through face to face interview which was from four groups namely, SAPS, NGO, Church and SANCA. Key theoretical concepts were defined for the understanding of the meaning of key words used in this study. Chapter 2 An overview of the literature review on youth drug abuse, this chapter covered and the brief content overview of the NDMP 4th edition. The history of the NDMP was explained from the first to the currently fourth edition, to understand where South Africa come. The NDMP aim to work with different stakeholders and for the purpose of this study the role of police and the community in implementing the NDMP and the related Acts were discussed. The police mandate in preventing the use of drugs amongst the youth was also discussed in this chapter. In Chapter 3 presentation and discussion of the findings were discussed in the form of themes this were presented according to the responses obtain from the participants interviewed. The four themes discussed were as follows: Theme 1: Policing approach towards youth drug use. Theme 2: Impact of drug abuse in Katlehong. Theme 3: The relationship between the different stakeholders in fighting the abuse of drugs by youth in Katlehong. Theme 4: Challenges in policing youth drug abuse. Chapter 4 was the discussion and the interpretation of the themes that were presented in chapter 3. The data collected in a face to face interviews as mentioned in the previous chapters were to explore the policing of youth drug abuse in Katlehong and was analysed and interpreted to get a clear understanding and meaning. Each theme was summarised stating the differences and similarities between the literature review and the participants’ responses and the possible meaning was explored.