Linksfield resident beats 11-year drug addiction
After beating an 11-year drug addiction, Linksfield resident 43-year-old Lee Kaplan has come up with a plan to help others overcome addiction.
He told the North Eastern Tribune that he was introduced to drugs at the age of 12. He has been clean for 20 years. He said, “I started by smoking and eventually moved to crack cocaine. I even moved to Hillbrow where drugs were a way of life.”
Kaplan added that it wasn’t until he was 23 years old that he decided to change his ways. He said he came close to death and decided to go to a rehabilitation centre.
“It was here that I found peace. I was also the first person to run the Comrades and the Two Oceans Marathon from rehab. I also participated in an agricultural programme during my time there,” said Kaplan.
According to Kaplan, addiction is a choice and not a disease. “… This is because people don’t catch it [addiction] in the air. They choose to pick up a substance and use it. That is why I believe the drug problem in the country is [much] worse than it was years ago, and it is ripping families and communities apart,” he said.
Kaplan has since launched Crisis Intervention Agency, an organisation aimed at helping youngsters overcome addiction.
He told the paper that he does not think support groups and rehab are enough. “Recovering addicts need structured work programmes, otherwise they go back to their ways, or even worse, they get addicted to a new drug. I believe in introducing routine, fitness programmes and the word of God,” he said.
His organisation also offers drug testing for parents, families and corporates. He also conducts prevention programmes at schools.
He told North Eastern Tribune that because he is a recovered addict himself, he can relate to what others are going through, which makes it easy for him to help them.
He said, “I am passionate about working with people who want to change. One needs to hit rock bottom before they can understand the consequences of their choices.”
Kaplan said he has lost many people close to him due to drug-related issues.
He said, “If I can turn my life around, so can anyone, because I believe I was one of the worst-case scenarios.”
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