A single Edenvale mother has described her anguish after finding out that her 16-year-old son was on drugs.
Ms Sindy van Wyk* said she noticed changes in her son; that he had begun to mix with children he would not normally associate with.
“One day, out of the blue, I received a call from my son’s school. He had tested positive for dagga during a routine, random drug test at school,” said Ms van Wyk.
Her heart sank at the announcement.
“He was part of a normal, stable family,” she said, adding that she had tried her best to raise him as every other parent would.
Ms van Wky’s son was booked into a 10-week out-patient programme through the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA).
“He had just turned 16, but I noticed an immediate change in him,” she said.
Things seemed to be heading on the right path.
“He was 17 when I noticed he was becoming increasingly hard to control. His marks took a dive and he quit playing sport,” said Ms van Wyk.
“Suddenly, in just a week, I did not recognise my son,” she said.
Suspecting the worst, she made arrangements through the school for her son to be admitted to the rehabilitation facility Healing Wings.
When her son found out he ran away from home.
“We prayed so hard and then went driving around. We found him walking the streets in Croydon and immediately drove him to the facility. He tested positive for khat,” said Ms van Wyk.
“I felt helpless,” she said.
Ms van Wyk believes the drug culture in Edenvale is enticing for youngsters.
“Drugs are a huge problem and for children it is the easiest group for them to get involved with,” she said.
She urged parents to be aware that drug addiction is a serious problem.
“As a parent, you must be honest with yourself and we must realise that often we do not see things which are closest to us,” Ms van Wyk said.
“We as parents need to be open with our children.”
She added that her son’s high school in Edenvale was “excellent in assisting with the situation”.
Ms van Wyk’s son has shown a vast improvement since his admission into the rehabilitation facility.
“He is completing his matric this year and his school marks have really improved. He has shown interest in taking part in sport again,” she said.
“There is so much out there and we as parents need to know that we are not alone,” said Ms van Wyk.
*Not her real name to protect the identity of her underage son.
