They are only 15 and 16 years old, but both started using dagga at the age of 13 years.
Read: Minors test positive for drugs
Their lives have changed dramatically since then.
The duo feel they want to go back to school and try to make something of their lives.
It has been a hard and lonely road for these two youngsters and they share their experience.
They know what rejection, betrayal, addiction and survival means, because they have experienced it first-hand.
Frankie and Sonny grew up in families where alcohol, physical abuse and dagga were part of their daily routine.
Also read: Second chance for teenagers who tested positive for drugs
They haven’t been in school for the past two years – something they regret.
Both teenagers say the rehabilitation centre changed their lives completely.
Frankie claims to protect him from being assaulted whilst in the rehab he decided to join the 26s and the Sorry MOM (Man over Man) gang.
To belong to a gang, he had to receive two tattoos on his right leg.
Sonny says he never felt threatened; he adjusted to the lifestyle at the centre quite well.
Their daily routine at the centre started at 7am and ended at 8pm.
They were locked up at night in what they call a ‘cell’, with a tiny window, four beds, basin and toilet.
During the day they had one-on-one interactions with psychologists which both teenagers claim helped them a lot.
Although they never received any medication to help them with the craving for drugs, they both managed to survive the centre for two months.
It felt like prison to them, therefore, they never want to return to the rehab.
“Children should know what the effect of gangs and drugs have on their lives and they always have a choice,” says Frankie.
The advice the duo want to give to others is to “choose your friends wisely”.
(* Not their real names)
