‘Addicts need support’

Tshedimoso Association along with The Speared Youth Dynamics have plunged a dialogue on substance abuse into the spotlight.

This after the non-profit organisations held a dialogue on the topic on 1 August at the Ivory Park North Hall.

Among the speakers who encouraged the substance addicts in the area to take the first step forward and change their lives were Ward 80 councillor Makgoba Pagadi, the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence’s (Sanca) Sabatha Mabuza and Leonora Cardenas who is from the United States and is studying in South Africa.

Pagadi spoke on behalf of Ward 133 councillor Julia Gololo and explained how he wanted to support everyone affected by substances and, in particular, nyaope.

He pleaded with the young men and women in attendance and encouraged them to be strong and resist the temptation of drugs and other addictive susbstances.

He added, “With the support of the ward committee members, Tshedimoso Association, social development and Sanca, among others, you will come out a better person.”

Speaking on behalf of those addicted to nyaope, Nonkululeko Shabalala, who is battling with substance abuse herself, explained that her problem was that she smoked nyaope without choosing to, but rather because being unable to handle the pressures of her personal circumstances or issues led her to smoking.

She added, “All I can say is that we as addicts need the support and love from the community because there is a lot of stigma against us. … We do not even get a chance to show people who we really are and it hurts us a lot because we started by simply trying it but ended up getting hooked.

“But I believe that with the right support, love and guidance, we can become better people and overcome this challenge.”

Mnelisi Ngubane, who represented The Speared Youth Dynamics, explained that their organisation focused more on prevention of drug use.

“We will be doing this by keeping the youth occupied with either sports and entrepreneurship just so we will be making sure the upcoming youth, as well as the addict, do not get a chance to roam around once they are sober as we would be identifying their talents and we will make sure they meet the stars of those particular industries or sport so they love to become more motivated to keep on going.”

Serofo Motshekga from Tshedimoso told the youth that their organisation dealt with life coaching, motivational speaking, leadership development, entrepreneurial development, learner support programmes and rehabilitation projects, and their current plan was to professionalise the work done by most addicts, such as recycling.

“We will see to it that you are employed with tax numbers. We do not want you to go to rehab and then when you come back, you do not have a job or anything which would develop you for the better,” said Motshekga.

Details: Tshedimoso Association www.tass.org.za

Related Article: 

https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/177748/11-subtle-warning-signs-that-a-loved-one-is-struggling-with-substance-abuse/