To help raise awareness of the growing drug use issue, an anti-drug campaign was held by the Simunye nurses, headed by Ms Yolanda Motsepe, at the Mhluzi Mall on June 28.

Together with the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, they help send anyone willing to rehabilitation centres in Mpumalanga.

They also work with Steve Tshwete Local Municipality to provide aftercare programmes for rehabilitated participants.

According to Ms Motsepe, heroin, nyaope, dagga, and crystal meth are the most common drugs used in Mhluzi.

Her main concern is that these drugs are not only taken by adults but also by children from as young as 13.

She believes teenagers gravitate towards drugs and alcohol because of peer pressure, as they want to feel a sense of belonging.

With adults, however, a lack of employment is the root cause of drug abuse because they get bored during the day and hang around the tuck shops smoking.

“Once they become addicted to drugs, they start becoming a problem in the community,” said Ms Motsepe.

Men start getting into crime and break into people’s houses with the aim of stealing. They also end up getting beaten by community members when they get caught.

Women pay for their drugs through prostitution and contract sexually transmitted diseases. They also have to deal with unwanted pregnancies.

“This campaign is close to my heart. I try by all means to help fight drug abuse in the community because I had a son who died because of drug abuse. I am still struggling with one child who is addicted to drugs,” said Ms Motsepe.