Alex children turning into drug zombies

Many children in Alexandra are hooked on the drug nyaope, and experiment with other drugs turning themselves into zombie-like junkies.

This according to Emmanuel Mangena, Region E manager for Sanca, which deals with drug and alcohol abuse cases in the community.

“Drug and alcohol abuse are big problems in this community and should be a serious concern to families, especially as the abusers are getting younger and hooked on more lethal drugs,” he said.

Nyaope came to prominence a couple of years ago, and together with other forms of drug abuse drew the attention of President Jacob Zuma who initiated task teams to deal with the problem last year in Cape Town and Eldorado Park, Gauteng.

Mangena said nyaope was highly addictive and made from expired cheap heroin, methylated spirits, rat poison, household scouring powder and brown sugar, and easily accessible to children.

“Besides [nyaope], children are also experimenting with another newer drug made of the powdery substance from energy-saving bulbs and plasma TVs mixed with petrol,” Mangena said.

“The mixtures of both drugs are poisonous with [rat poison] causing severe cramps and blood clots, and together with [other] substances, causes loss of appetite, memory lapses, irritability, and risk of death over time.

“Those who are addicted can be detected by their stooped [posture], weight and appetite loss [with a] desire for sweet and non-nutritious foods, their dirty and unkempt appearance, bunking school for unexplained reasons and change in social conduct at home.”

Mangena added that many addicts disguised their drug habit by using socially-accepted methods such as hooka pipes to imbibe, even at public events.

“Also, they sustain their habit by stealing energy bulbs from their homes, public facilities and schools, [as well as] plasma TVs.

He explained that while Sanca dealt with many drug and alcohol-related cases daily, they needed parental and community support to expose drug abuse and its dangers.

“We encourage people to attend our workshops for them to know how to detect possible abuse by their children, and also to take their children for testing at our clinic if they suspect abuse before the children are severely damaged,” he concluded.

May is Sanca month and the organisation is conducting drug and substance awareness workshops for community development workers.

Details: Sanca 011 346 1500 or toll free 08614Sanca

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