Plaza drug addicts want to go to rehab
"This drug is slowly killing us, which is why we want to quit. I want to go back home, but I need to be rehabilitated."
Drug addicts who live at the Benoni Plaza said they would like to be rehabilitated to get their lives back on track.
They recently told the City Times they are tired of feeding their addiction, which has turned them into criminals.
One of the users, Sibusiso Mthombeni, said since he became hooked on nyaope and crystal meth, he has had no choice but to steal to get a fix.
“I’ve decided that the only solution to this is to go to rehab and get professional help because I cannot do it alone. I am old enough to have a family and a stable job, but this addiction has taken that opportunity away from me,” said Mthombeni.
Another addict, who wished to remain anonymous, said he regrets the choices he made when he first experimented with drugs.
Nyaope user Thamsanqa Makwakwa said he has applied for admission to a local rehabilitation centre but is still on a waiting list.
“This drug is slowly killing us, which is why we want to quit. I want to go back home, but I need to be rehabilitated.”
Trevor Bridges and Zahid of the I Love Benoni project, who has been assisting the group with food, said due to the presence of the addicts around the Benoni Plaza, crime has increased.
“Sadly, the youngsters feed their addiction by stealing so they can buy drugs. We need to get the Department of Social Development (DSD) involved to get them off the streets,” they said.
According to Benoni SAPS spokesperson Capt Nomsa Sekele, when someone reports a crime in Benoni Plaza, they already know who the perpetrators are.
“When we investigate, they quickly hide. We are working with the municipality to demolish certain structures that serve as hiding places.”
DSD social manager for substance abuse and crime Zakithi Msomi said: “We will send social workers to the Benoni Plaza to assess the addicts and from there they’ll be placed on a waiting list to be rehabilitated.”
DSD advised the community to educate itself about substance abuse to prevent stigmatisation.
Also Read: There is help for drug addicts and their families
Also Read: Addicts’ loved ones also need support
