New nyaope method ‘very disturbing’

There is a new, “very disturbing” way for nyaope addicts to get a high, reports the Pretoria North Rekord.

According to reports, the new method used around Soshanguve is known as Bluetooth.

One persons shoots up, then the others who cannot afford to buy drugs for themselves draw the shooter’s blood and inject it into their veins.

Sanca Soshanguve manager Hendrik Lefoka said this week he was still very disturbed by the photos circulating on social media that shows a group of nyaope addicts sharing blood.

“We have spoken to all our patients about this method and so far none of them know about it,” said Lefoka.

“We also regularly engage with the nyaope addicts around the community through our community outreach programmes, but they do not seem not to know about it either.”

Bluetooth became a topic of discussion at the weekend after a Facebook user posted a photo of three men apparently sharing blood.

“Nyaope alone is deadly. This new method, if there’s really anything like that, can be the death of anyone who tries it considering the fact that one could get infected with a series of deadly diseases including HIV through the method,” reads the post.

According to the Facebook user, this method was practised by some nyaope addicts around Soshanguve.

Rekord spoke to nyaope addicts outside Mabopane station on Wednesday, who said though they used syringes to shoot up some drugs, they never shared blood.

Lefoka said the reports were very disturbing considering there was an increase in the abuse of legal medications in Soshanguve.

“These are medications such as ARVs, painkillers and cough syrup, leading to what has been called ‘silent addictions’,” he said.

“The abuse of all forms of drugs is a huge problem that needs urgent attention, and it will require a concerted effort by all residents to defeat it.”

In a recent statement, police said the township was under siege by nyaope addicts and residents were afraid to leave their homes as burglaries soared.

“If you leave you will come back to an empty house,” said one woman.

She said she woke up one morning to a flooded yard because addicts had stolen copper pipes to sell for scrap.

“Now we have plastic taps outside,” she said.

– Caxton News Service