THE cheap, popular township drug nyaope has broken many families and caused scores of parents heartache.

Sowetan spoke to two mothers affected by the problem.

Gladys Pitso, of Phola Park in Thokoza, said the only solution she could think of now was to have her son removed from the township and placed in a camp.

She said the community had now turned against her because her 15-year-old son was always being accused of stealing.

"Just last week I was called to a scene where he was going to be severely beaten. He refuses to go to school and is forever on the streets. I try to speak to him but I do not know what to do anymore," said the hopeless mother.

Another woman, who did not want to be named to protect her son's identity, said he had stolen money and five cellphones that she has had to replace.

"He stole R1,700 from me. We have no food at home. We had a terrible December," she said.

"I do not sleep at night with people constantly knocking on my door demanding their goods."

Both mothers said the financial burden caused by their sons in their already impoverished homes was now unbearable.

Nyaope costs between R40 and R50 for one use and an addict typically use it four or five times a day.

Gauteng department of social development spokesman Sello Mokoena said: "Nyaope plays a role in many major social problems such as public violence, stress and dysfunctional families."

He added that users were usually violent.