A nyaope addict pleaded with the community to sympathise with addicted Alex youth as they are struggling to beat a drug habit.
Many of them, including children, are said to be on various drugs and alcohol which ruin their lives, get them injured and some even killed, make them drop out of school and abandon homes for life on the streets leaving families and the community worried.
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The plea by Christian ‘Jesus’ Seema (27), who attended Realogile Secondary School, was made at a welcome event for four former addicts, Tabane Motsoai (21) and John Lemao (29) and in absentia, Daniel Lesole (22) and Lungi Themba (20).
They returned from rehab at Witpoort Treatment Centre in Randfontein looking physically clean and seemed clear-minded. They spoke of now having a purpose in life. Their new attitude stood out compared to the disheveled, filthy and miserable-looking Seema and others who said they admired them and appeared to introspect on how to muster the courage to go to rehab.
“If the community, which shuns and discriminates against us, understands our desire to kick the habit, they will encourage and symphathise with us,” Seema pleaded.
Read: Two Alex youngsters return home drug-free
“It will augment the feeding and clothing we receive from Mme Kuki Mokwena of Phase 1 who feeds, clothes and encourages us to also go for rehab in order to be clean, responsible citizens and reunite with our families.”
Residents, he added, only need to understand how hard it is to kick the habit after the addiction has set in. “It’s worsened when they insult us for scavenging in and leaving dust bins open and tearing rubbish bags like dogs.
“All we need is their love and acceptance.” He pledged to muster the courage to one day get weaned off drugs, saying it was the only way to a safe, healthy and purposeful life as a responsible citizen. Others nodded their affirmation to the pledge.
Details: Kuki Mokwena 072 243 3180.
