A mother with troubled teenagers turned her struggles into life lessons to encourage other mothers like her to speak out and seek help.
*Martha Mahlangu, from Primrose, also known as mama said her life has been a living hell for years because of her children’s involvement with drugs and abuse.
She is now helping other mothers like her by starting a support group.
“Mothers who deal with addicts carry a lot of pain. We are abused by our children because of their bad habits. We keep quiet because we are afraid and the community is also afraid of us because of our children. We suffer in silence,” said mama.
“I was surprised how many mothers are abused by their children because of drugs.”
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She said often community members tend to judge the mothers because of their children and their fellow residents are not willing to help.
“Because our children do all the wrong things, we get punished by the community. I have lost work because of my sons’ addiction. People become scared because now they think they will also be victims.
“I have lost friends because of my children,” said mama.
She said she was tired of living in fear and so took a stand and help others who are like her.
“I have moved out of my home because I couldn’t live in peace. My sons don’t know where I am living – I need a safe space. I started the support group because I don’t want other mothers to end up like me, moving out of their homes because they are afraid,” said mama.
She said it’s time for mothers to voice the challenges and fears they face because of their children’s addiction to drugs.
“Drugs destroy families. When a child starts to take drugs they don’t care about anything else. For them, it’s all about feeding the addiction. They will sell your house piece by piece,” said mama.
The goal of the support group is to provide hope, support and guidance to other mothers in the same situation.
“I have cried for so long and asked so many people to help me. I event took the legal route, but I did not get results. I then decided if I want to find help for me and my sons I need to take a stand and do something about the problem myself,” said mama.
She is inviting other mothers with the same problem to join the support group.
“Sitting in your own corner, crying and talking to no one will not help in solving the problem. If we come together as mothers we can identify ways of how we can help our children and also involve the law in helping us,” said mama.
Those who are interested in helping or joining the support group may contact 083 598 2453 or 072 685 0942.
*Name changed to protect her identity.
