Robert highlights the lows of drug abuse
Robert recently visited DJS where he told learners of his life, his struggles with substance abuse, the lessons learnt and how he overcame it all
Robert van der Feyst is on a mission to help others learn from his mistakes.
Robert, the Executive Director of Narconon in Cape Town, is visiting schools around the country educating learners on the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. Robert recently visited DJS where he told learners of his life, his struggles with substance abuse, the lessons learnt and how he overcame it all.
As a shy and insecure child, Robert always felt like he wasn’t as cool as others. In Grade 7, while attending a party, he had his first beer in an attempt to loosen up a little. In Grade 9, at another party, Robert tried dagga for the first time.
“I only heard positive things about dagga. Everyone said it’s just a herb anyway. It’s not dangerous, it makes you laugh. So I decided to try it.”
After realising that it made him paranoid and started freaking out, Robert decided that he would never do that again. However, the following Monday at school, he became one of the ‘cool kids’, as some of the older learners viewed him as a rebel. With the acceptance that he always craved, now a reality, Robert continued to drink alcohol and smoke dagga until adult life. It was then that he decided to become serious and get his life back on track, a feat he managed, even getting married.
But a year into his marriage, he was introduced to ecstasy and once again, drugs had taken over his life. What followed was a rollercoaster ride as Robert had a constant desire to get high. Despite trips to rehab and the support of his wife, there were many times he gave in to the urges and continued to abuse drugs. That was 18 years ago though. Now clean and committed to staying that way, Robert educates youngsters on the dangers of drugs and how easy it is to become addicted.
“A lot of people think alcohol isn’t a drug because it’s openly sold. Just because something is legal, doesn’t mean it is okay. Alcohol is a poison.”
He also touched on the argument of dagga being medicinal and therefore not bad for you. “It does not mean that if it has medicinal properties, it can’t be bad for you. Painkillers are medicines too, yet they damage your body over time.”
Robert hopes that his talks around the country will help others not to make the same mistake he did. “I don’t tell people not to do something. That’s when they do it. I tell them it’s their life and they are free to do as they please, but I want to educate them about the dangers of certain things.”
Principal, Mr Maree thanked Robert for educating the learners and also urged them to make a difference. “It takes one person to make a difference, so be that person,” he said.
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