Recovering drug addicts ready to rebuild their lives

KwaThema – Over 10 recovering drug addicts from KwaThema returned from a six-week rehabilitation programme at Life Esidimeni Witpoort Care Centre on Tuesday.

The group of men said they started taking drugs at an early age as a result of peer pressure.

Thabang Xaba Foundation took the group under its wing early this year.

Xaba says he was concerned when he learnt about a group of addicts who were shot and killed in May this year for dealing with drugs.

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“As much as we say they are a thorn in our lives they are still our friends, brothers and siblings.

“We cannot watch as they die without lifting a finger to help them.

“Drug dealers take advantage of young people by using them to peddle their drugs, not caring about their future.

“I am happy to report that since the beginning of the campaign we have seen over 250 of the young addicts joining the rehabilitation programme.”

“Most of those who have are still pushing to remain clean and stay away from drugs,” he says.

Xaba explains that the foundation is struggling to raise funds to provide for the addicts’ basic needs when they are in the rehabilitation centre.

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“Most of the addicts’ family members want nothing to do with them, and so they don’t have clothes or toiletries to use during their stay at the rehab.

“As a foundation we are forced to scrape together funds to ensure that we afford them what is needed during their stay.

“We are calling on parents, residents or NGOs who are interested in assisting us to help the addicts clean up their act to come forward.

“We need donations of toiletries and clothes, even second-hand items will do for now.

“We also need NGOs offering skills programmes to partner with us.

“We need to help restore their dignity and show them that they are still part of this community and we are here to help them,” he says.

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