COMMUNITY JOINS HANDS AGAINST DRUG
Sebokeng devises an action plan to fight nyaope
THE fight against the killer drug nyaope was given a further boost over the weekend when government departments and non-profit organisations held an imbizo to map out an action-plan for eradicating the scourge.
They all voiced their concern against the growing use of the drug, at the meeting, which was convened by the Mafatsane police station youth desk in Sebokeng, Gauteng,
Nomvula Hlophe, a community development worker from the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (Sanca), told the gathering that nyaope was the most dangerous habit -forming drug, as it lasted in the system for only four hours before a user needed another “fix ”.
“Nyaope is destroying the Vaal (community) in a shocking way,” Hlophe said. “Users get what they call ‘ downs ’ when they do not get it (a ‘ fix ’). Some have now started injecting it, using one needle per group.”
Also present at the meeting was Gauteng social development officials, local legislature members, the Progressive Youth Movement, Life Care Support Group and the SA Concerned Ex-convict Association.
“It drives them so wild that they would do anything to lay their hands on their next fix.
“We provide injections (syringes) in specific clinics around this area for those who come forward. How- ever, we only help out-patients and can ’ t keep (nyaope) users for observation, ” said Hlope, adding that their biggest challenge was the absence of a rehabilitation centre for those who wanted to stop.
Nyaope is a heroin-laced concoc- tion of anti-retroviral drugs, milk powder, rat poison, bicarbonate of soda and pool cleaner that is smoked with dagga or tobacco.
Nhlanhla Zondo, of the legislature, took the gathering through the different areas where his office can help the public, including ways of petitioning the legislature to respond to calls for facilities, including rehabilitation centres.
“It ’ s like when you have applied for an RDP house in 1999 and still don ’ t have it,” Zondo explained. “You petition the legislature to help you with your case. The legislature will attend to it until you get your house. That is only when the legislature will say goodbye to you.”
Tshidiso Mokati, an assistant probation officer from the Gauteng social development department, urged the youth to stop envying the lifestyle of children from rich families and resorting to drugs out of frustration when their families can ’ t provide the same.
“It takes you only three years to get a tertiary qualification that will help build your life for ever,” Mokati said.
“It takes 10 or more years in prison to serve your punishment for a crime. Please opt for school,” Mokati pleaded.
Mokati added that there was a plan to introduce local drug action committees in the pipeline.
“It will work just like the ward committees, where each ward will have a desk headed by a select committee of stakeholders with a particular mandate of attending to drug and substance abuse in the communities,” Mokati said.