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Nyaope boys say enough is enough - No jobs may lead to ex-addicts relapsing

COOLING OFF: One nyaope addict sleeps on a bed with bedding donated by the community as he tries to wear off the drug at the makeshift rehabilitation camp at Ekangala Community Hall in Bronkhorstspruit Photo: Thulani Mbele
COOLING OFF: One nyaope addict sleeps on a bed with bedding donated by the community as he tries to wear off the drug at the makeshift rehabilitation camp at Ekangala Community Hall in Bronkhorstspruit Photo: Thulani Mbele

THEY go to school every morning but instead of returning home in the afternoon they head for the Ekangala Community Hall to join other recovering nyaope addicts.

The two youths say they have become pests to their families, neighbours and schoolmates since they got hooked on the drug four years ago.

Their school work also suffered, more so from absenteeism. About a month ago, the two 17-year-old pupils at Ekangala Comprehensive Secondary School decided enough was enough.

They packed their clothes, books and other belongings and registered themselves at the "rehab camp" established by some of the addicts they were sharing drugs with.

Sello* and Jammie* say they got hooked in 2010 as a result of peer pressure.

"We smoked in the morning before going to class and after school. I worked hard and my results were always good until early this year when I started performing badly," says Sello.

He says he joined the camp after fearing that he might not pass Grade 12 next year.

"I came here because I was aware that 60% to 80% of those who had sought help here (camp) had stopped smoking nyaope," says Sello, who wants to be an engineer.

He says the danger of nyaope is that it made him impatient, even for school to go out so that he could smoke again.

One of the Youth Alive leaders and recovered addict, Tebogo Mlangeni, 31, was full of praise for the two after learning from the school principal that Sello found R1500 belonging to a teacher in the classroom and instead of stealing it, he took it to the principal's office.

He said that showed some improvement on the side of the pupil.

mckeed@sowetan.co.za

 

 

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