Springs teen shares her story of drug use and the road to recovery

Sumari Martens* is only 17 years old, but has lived a life filled with tears, heartache, drug and alcohol abuse – plus being rejected by both her parents.

She was only 10 years old and being the oldest of three children, she soon had to take over the parental role – by being mother and father to her two siblings.

“We lived a perfectly normal live, until both my parents started using drugs,” she says.

The teenager wasn’t aware of the drug abuse at first, as she had no idea why her parents locked themselves up in their bedroom and lost interest in their children.

She says it wasn’t until she saw the powder, syringes and tablets in their bedroom, that she inquired about the contents at school.

Read: Second chance for teenagers who tested positive for drugs

It was a rude awakening for her and she tried her very best to support her two siblings, until she too became hooked on drugs.

After her father committed suicide just before her birthday in 2013, she decided to leave school and her house, as the responsibilities became too much for her.

“It felt as if nobody cared about me and before I knew it, I was involved with the wrong crowd,” she says.

Soon she realized dagga and alcohol wasn’t enough and the enjoyable moments it provided, wasn’t enough any more.

Her body yearned for the ‘freedom’ she thought the drugs provided at the time.

Soon it was ecstasy, cat, crystal meth and heroin that was needed to make her forget – which was followed by joining a local gang.

Read: Drugs divide families

She claims being part of a gang was a nightmare of its own, but she was overpowered by the sense of belonging.

“They, the gang leaders, expected us to steal and sell drugs for them, while they were looking out for our needs.

“Not to mention that, once you are a gang member, you belong to everybody – male or female,” she says.

Twice she overdosed and twice she was saved.

Read: Drugs made girl (16) run away

Today she believes there was a higher hand taking care of her.

Once she realised God has a purpose for her life, she escaped; but two weeks later the gang members found her.

“I was drugged and locked up in a room for almost a week, but I managed to escape from that too,” she says.

Rejection is still difficult to cope with, but the teenager managed to go back to school and has since completed her Grade Nine and grade 10.

“I plan on staying clear from drugs” she says.

Her advice to children and teenagers out there, is to “choose your friends wisely”.

Be careful of the wrong groups, as she claims they might be gang related.

“Drugs and alcohol isn’t an option, as it only provides temporary relief,” she says.

She might have been deprived of most of her teenage years, but Sumari is eager to complete her Grade 12 and to have a more positive outlook on life.

* not her real name.