Hon Deputy Speaker, I stand here to thank this House for the support and co-ordination that it has provided for us and the portfolio committee in order to ensure that this Bill is passed. Quite obviously, the Bill couldn't answer all the questions that ought to have been asked and answered, so I would agree with hon Mars and hon Semple that there is a need for more work to be done on this Bill in the next Parliament. For all those that will be here, I think that one of the first things that they must do is to look at the question of the crisis that we are going through in South Africa at present with this new stage of drugs amongst our people and within our communities.
This Bill offers us the opportunity to open up a new front against the onslaught of drugs in our society. The battle for a drug-free society lies at the heart of the kind of democracy that we are striving to build. Working together, our three-pronged approach will not only make us forceful in combating substance abuse, but will also secure the future of our nation and the best way to do that is to strengthen our families and community.
Whenever you leave home to come to Parliament or to work, you must be sure that your family is firm and strong. Look after your children; when they go to these parties make sure that they don't get themselves involved in drugs. Most of them will be doing so innocently because somebody might put a tablet in their drink and they find themselves in a situation that they had not planned.
The issue that arises is our roles individually as parents and as grandparents to ensure that our families are strong and that our communities remain as tight as they can be. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the portfolio committee and the management and all members of the Department of Social Development for their work and co- operation that they have shown over this period. Once again thank you, your Excellency, and all of you for all the good work that you have done.