SANCA pleads to communities to support former drug users

SANCA is calling on community and family members to accept and love former substance abuse users into their lives after rehabilitation.

It is alleged that the former users are often ill-treated by their communities when they try to rebuild their lives.

SANCA’s acting director in the Eastern Gauteng, Matshepo Kodisang, says they are calling on parents and community members to help them by accepting former substance users and integrating them back into the community.

“Most of the users are treated as criminals because they are known for stealing within the community to afford their next fix.

“We know it is hard for the community members to accept them back and to win their trust.

“But for them not to relapse and going back to taking drugs they need your love and support.

“It is easy for them to go back to taking drugs because this is the only place they feel loved and appreciated by their friends. Their friends don’t judge them and they welcome them with open arms.“The only way we will be able to win the fight against substance abuse is through working together and supporting each other.

“They are still part of the community and need for us all to collectively be there for them,” she adds.

Matshepo says they are also concerned about the growing number of young people who are using and selling drugs in schools.

“We are receiving a lot of referrals from the schools and police of young people who are at school going ages using drugs.

“Most of them are buying the drugs within the school premises.

“We question ourselves where the members of police, CPF and security in schools are to help fight this,” she says.

Matshepo says parents need to know their children and their friend’s whereabouts at all times.

“They should also be careful of unnecessary sleepovers because most of them start experimenting with drugs during this time.

“They need our love and support to fight the monster. It is not easy but we can help them win the battle,” she concludes.

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