Former addict hopes to return to school

“I dropped out of school to smoke nyaope,” says the 20-year-old Ms Madikwe Mashalane, who graduated from her drug recovery process at the Makeke Drug Addicted Centre recently.

Ms Mashalane has been clean from nyaope for five months.

“I started smoking nyaope during September 2011, when I enjoyed fun more than going to school. I dropped out of school in grade 11. I hung around more with boyfriends who were smoking nyaope. I found myself tempted and I smoked it,” said Ms Mashalane.

Ms Mashalane vowed to her parents and the rehabilitation group that she would refrained from smoking nyaope and would never relapse.

“I have shamed my parents. Now it is time to do right for them and my future. I wasted so much time on drugs and betrayed my parents’ trust and support. They never gave up on me, even when I kept disappointing them. After I dropped out of school, they encouraged me to further my education at college. I considered the college and dropped out as well. I use to prioritise fun, without realising I am destroying my future. I regret the day I started smoking nyaope.”

Ms Mashalane said she took a stand and began looking for a rehabilitation centre. She was accepted at the Makeke Drug Addicted Centre on June 19 this year.

“By then, I wanted to stop taking the drug. I was suffering for no reason. I then told myself I do not want nyaope anymore. I nearly died because of this drug. I would steal my mother’s bank card and cellular phone so that when I withdrew money, I could delete the message instantly without her seeing it,” said Ms Mashalane.

Ms Mashalane, who is the third child of Ms Caroline Mashalane, said she will be looking for a job to keep herself busy during the festive season.

She hopes to return to school next year.

Ms Mashalane said the key to change is to let go of fear.