Taking a stand against drug abuse in Katlehong

Founder of Naliya Perishing Mission 2 Vision (NPM2V) Buyisiwe Chabalala went from enduring abuse from her two children to take the courageous decision to stand against drugs.

After months of trying to help her children fight drug addiction independently, she established NPM2V in March 2021 with the purpose to offer help and support to people who are battling drug addiction.

This follows after she went through challenges with her two boys who are suffering from drug addiction.

She said the challenge with rehabilitation centres is that they do not provide enough rehab time.

“They keep the children at the centre for only four weeks,” she said.

She said at first it was her oldest son who was using drugs.

“He would come home later and later, and more frequently on a high. He started stealing household appliances before running away to live on the streets,” she explained.

“It was only a matter of time before the community started complaining and he realised he could no longer steal from home.”

According to Chabalala, her oldest son was arrested for dealing drugs. He refused to expose the man he was working for.

She expressed with sadness how her 14-year-old son is following in his brother’s footsteps.

Chabalala is one of many mothers who are affected by their children’s choices.

She, however, chose to put up a fight to help save families through her organisation.

After they were touched by Chabalala’s story, Tholekelo Nkosi and Lizi Khumalo joined NPM2V.

The organisation embarks on door-to-door services to engage with affected families. They have over 1 000 children who have signed up for vaccines, including those who were recruited from the streets and their homes.

Vision

The organisation has hit the ground running, but, according to Chabalala, the real work will begin when they get a facility with enough space to cater to many children who left home to feed their addiction in the streets.

She said they want a facility big enough to enable them to keep the recovering individuals for a longer time.

“In this time, they will be able to acquire skills that can help them find employment when they finish their treatment.

“The facility is needed to tackle the drug addiction scourge, but it will also create jobs in sectors like security, administration and cleaning.”

Chabalala said their vision is to have a drug-free society.

“Drugs are not only a challenge in Ekurhuleni. It is a national issue and extends throughout the world.”

Challenges

She said at times they have to go into a house full of boys who use drugs. This poses a risk to their safety.

“We try to offer help, but at the same time, we are afraid because some of these drugs make them aggressive,” said Khumalo.

The team often uses money from their pockets to render a service. At times, they have to walk with their clients to the clinic for their check-ups.

“Most of the time they come in the same state we see them in the streets, dirty and smelling. We have to provide them with sanitary towels to bathe them before going out because we are trying to give them dignity and hope,” said Khumalo.

How can the community support?

Chabalala said the community and families can help the NPO by becoming volunteers and reporting households that have children who are affected by drugs.

This will help the organisation reach out to many families who need support. NPM2V pleads with community members to avoid assaulting children who are affected by drugs, she added.

“The fight against drugs is not just for affected families. This a collective problem, so we need the community to support affected families.”

She said families that are going through this challenge are stigmatised, as they are often referred to as nyaope’s home.

“Mothers of these children are called names like mama nyaope. There are people who I spoke with daily who do not talk to me anymore because of what my sons are battling with. Yet, we are all fighting the same battle.”

She pleaded with the community to stop abusing families who are supporting recovering addicts.

“There is no parent who would choose a life of drugs for their children. Parents already endure abuse from their children, they do not need it from the community as well.”

Community members who can help may contact Chabalala on 063 538 6791 or at buyisiwe415@gmail.com