Drug abuse has many parents and communities worried about its negative impact on the younger generation.
This concern is well founded and confirmed by authoritative sources. In Alexandra, of late, the concern has been about children addicted to nyaope – a mixture of marijuana, cheap heroin, cleaning chemicals and rat poison – that leads to children dropping out of school and heading towards a bleak future.
According to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag), illegal drug consumption in South Africa is double the world norm. This, they say, has led to an increase in crime, especially among poor, unemployed South Africans.
In addition, figures from the South African Police Service indicate that drug abuse accounts for 60 percent of all crimes. Another source, the Central Drug Authority, estimates that up to 15 percent of South Africans abuse drugs like marijuana or dagga, heroin, methamphetamines such as tik, cocaine, prescription drugs and inhalants. They say the substance abuse rate among teenagers is spiraling out of control, with one in two school children having already experimented with drugs by the age of 12.
Also, a study by Lancet Medical Journal said more than 60 percent of teenagers aged 18 drink alcohol regularly. As a drug, this increases their likelihood of developing alcohol dependency later in life.
Concerned agencies like Leratong Joy for One, and the South African National Council for Alcoholism and Drug Dependency (Sanca) use various interventions to rehabilitate addicts and raise the public’s awareness on the negative effects of drugs.
The Provincial Department of Community Safety has helped to identify three drugs commonly used by children. They are tik or crystal meth, nyaope and whoonga – which is the same as nyaope but with crushed ARVs added to the mix. They are habit forming, addictive and damage the kidneys, liver and heart. Also, they cause dysfunctional behaviour, hallucinations, memory loss and death.
Tik, a stimulant, is a clearish-white, bitter-tasting crystalline powder which is dissolved in water or alcohol. It is highly addictive and affects the central nervous system. It is sold for R30 to R40 per straw.
Nyaope is highly addictive and used mostly by 13- to 19-year-olds and sells for R35 to R50 per straw.
Whoonga is similar to nyaope except for the addition of crushed anti retro viral tablets to enhance its potency.
The department urges the public to help those addicted by referring them to hospitals and Sanca, Sadag and Lovelife.
Details: Sanca 0861 472 622; Sadad 0800 20 50 26; Lovelife 0800 121 900.
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