Sanca warns of increase in drug abuse
ALEXANDRA – Alex children seem to be on a perilous journey of self-destruction through drugs.
Children who struggle with drug addiction need unconditional support from parents and guardians for them to recover fully after their rehabilitation.
This was said by staff at NPO South African National Council on Alcohol Abuse and Drug Dependency (Sanca) in the township, in reference to only about two per cent of the parents said to show concern through regular follow-ups.
READ: Top 8 most used drugs by SA youth
Auxiliary social worker Mable Ubisi said they worry about the children relapsing. “We are disillusioned and demotivated by parents’ indifference to the welfare of their children at a time when stats on dagga-related addiction in the township has been growing from 2011 including cases of drug Nyaope which is now the main problem drug.
“They abrogate this key parenting role to us, claiming it’s our responsibility as professionals and that they are busy with work and have no time for their addicted children,” Ubisi said.
She added that parental care and love is critical soon after rehab to avoid children’s risk of withdrawal symptoms and relapse. She said some of the parents succumbed to blackmail by children wanting drugs by trembling and getting into seizures from withdrawal effects claiming that the drug will calm them down and save their lives. “This only renews and deepens the addiction.”
READ: It’s never late to quit drugs
Ubisi disclosed that the number of drug peddlers is also increasing. “Some disguise themselves in school uniforms when selling the drugs to pupils during school breaks.
“Others sell sweets coated with drugs, disguise themselves in makeshift food and vegetable stalls and others are identified through specific markings and signs known only by the buyers.”
She decried this as careless conduct by the peddlers, who could also be parents, yet are unconcerned about destroying the lives of the children of others while their own maybe victims of other peddlers. She claimed that children of peddlers also introduce the drugs to their neighbours’ children and friends. “Others start by snorting glue, smoking stompies picked on streets and their homes.”
Ubisi warned of the consequences of parents’ indifference to Nyaope saying it worsens the situation. “It weakens and makes the victims lethargic and zombie-like but, are not violent while others become hyper and many of them drop out of school.
READ: Bust for drugs and bribe
“Other pupils are into the drug Cat, claiming that it keeps them awake in class while alcohol enables them to groove all night at parties.”
She identified peer pressure as a major drive for addiction, especially where parents show no interest in their children’s lives. “They should be making regular follow-ups on their progress at school, in and after rehabilitation, attend meetings to be trained on signs of addiction and, sign attendance registers to enable the organisation to trace them for feedback on their children’s progress or otherwise.”
Ubisi commended partnerships in the fight against drug abuse and urged for improvements in the capacity in order to contend with the challenge in the festive season when the peddlers will exploit the festive mood, many parties and excess money circulating. “They will want to expose children to even harder and lethal drugs like Flaka said to cause deaths in victims who hallucinate and jump off buildings, from moving vehicles and bash their heads against walls.”
