Say no to drugs
Alberton resident speaks out about the ways of drug dealers and drug addicts.
NEW REDRUTH – An Alberton resident and rehabilitated drug addict speaks out about the effects narcotics have on a person and how the dealings work.
He tells how most of the kingpins and runners are Nigerians and that the dealings take place almost anywhere… under the noses of people living a normal everyday life, naïve to things like drug dealing.
“It is surprising how many people use drugs or are addicts. The amount is shocking. One hundred per cent of my acquaintances use drugs; about three per cent are addicts… that I know of. It usually starts at parties as recreational usage,” he says.
He explains how you get numbers through the grape wine, you call and request whatever drugs you need and the amount which you would like. A date, time and place is agreed on and then the exchange takes place.
The runners (drug dealers) stock any drugs you would like: CAT (R100 for 1g), Ecstasy (R60 for one pill) and Cocaine (R300 for 1g). “It depends on the person how much they want to take, although one is enough to get you to that initial high.
“The problem comes when you don’t want to hit that low, you just keep using to keep your high. Once you are hooked, the drugs destroy your life, family, girlfriend/boyfriend/wife/husband and business/job,” he explains.
Some of the symptoms he experienced while using drugs were mood swings all the time, sleep patterns changing, weight loss, erratic behaviour, snappy and up and down emotions.
His mom explained how he was strange and not himself, “He never used to stick to an arrangement, it would always change.” Although he has gone through drug dealing, his family is very supportive.
Although rehabilitated he used drugs for 15 years, however the past eight months it was at its worst. He was in rehab for two months. “Rehab really helped me and I know I won’t go back to using. The people I knew were my ‘chinas’, now they are just dealers,” he said.
He also explained to the RECORD how difficult it is to catch these kingpins and runners as they are always changing. They are also extremely dangerous and will resort to any measure of aggression if threatened.
“I do not want other people to go through what I did. The worst are the feelings you get while trying to stop, feelings of euphoria, anxiety, sweating, dilated pupils and the lengths you would go to to get drugs.
“I used to lie about everything, even things I did not have to lie about. Your entire life becomes one big lie. I was fortunate not to lose everything, but some addicts do. I spent R240 000 in two months on drugs,” he said.
His mom gave her thoughts, “It is terrible, and my eyes have definitely been opened. People who use, you would never believe would do something like that. People are so unaware of what takes place in their surrounding areas.
“Your child is always your child and no matter what, you never want to see your child helpless.”
If you are looking for a place of healing and need rehab, contact Akeso Specialized Psychiatric Clinics situated at 15 Clinton Street, New Redruth 011 907 7639 or call their 24 hour hotline 010 040 4357.
If you are an addict or know of someone who is and would like to share your views regarding drugs (using or dealing) send an e-mail to mhefer@caxton.co.za
