ALCOHOL and drug abuse in Limpopo is on the increase and to eliminate the problem, the government should destroy dagga plants at Schonoord village in Sekhukhune, according to researchers.

ALCOHOL and drug abuse in Limpopo is on the increase and to eliminate the problem, the government should destroy dagga plants at Schonoord village in Sekhukhune, according to researchers.

The village has become a dagga zone with small plantations in the mountains.

Investigations by the SA Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (Sacendu) have found that the number of people using dagga had increased.

Studies indicated that about 2,2million South Africans use dagga, followed by heroin, ecstasy and other substances.

Despite stringent law enforcement against drugs in the area the police and community leaders have been unsuccessful in rooting out the problem because of the the way dagga plants are proliferating in the village.

The police said there was an increasing number of youths who use dagga.

Sacendu also said there had been a growing number of people using dagga in Schoonoord and Jane Furse.

Police spokesperson Superintendent Ronel Otto said dagga use had been growing in Limpopo.

"If we don't catch someone in possession of dagga it becomes very difficult to prosecute," Otto said.

Minister of Social Development Edna Molewa said the government would address the situation in Sekhukhune.

"Research has found that this area has a high number of youths abusing dagga and alcohol. We are aware of this problem and we are going to solve it," Molewa vowed.