Siyanakekela Community Project (NPO) held a Drug Awareness Talk at their centre in Bramfischerville.
Community leaders, the Local Drug Action Committee, Youth Desk, SANCO, SANCA, Dobsonville Police Social Crime Prevention Desk and residents participated.
The aim of this gathering was to discuss ways to identify all drug (nyaope) users and to provide help for them.
Centre manager, Wandile Zondi said: “We ask residents to uphold the plan to transform the lives of young people vulnerable to drug abuse.”
Zondi said the centre will work closely with SANCA to refer addicts who wish to quit drugs.
“We’ll constantly visit homes to interact with parents and other affected households,” he said.
About four nyaope users confessed during the event and said they were prepared to quit.
27-year-old Philani Sibanda, a mother of two children, is a nyaope addict.
She has a five year old child and the other is 11 years.
Sibanda started smoking in 2013.
“Everyday I spend R30 to get a joint because I can’t sleep without feeding this habit.
“We really need help to restore our lives – the normal lives that once was,” she said.
Sibanda has a degree in journalism.
