Nyaope cited as one of the causes of mental illness
Mental health awareness campaign held at the Dr George Mukhari Hospital.
David Matsena
The use of nyaope has become one of the leading causes for mental illness in South Africa.
This was revealed by deputy director of the mental health directorate, Dr Sophie Lenkwane.
Dr Lenkwane was speaking during a mental awareness campaign at Dr George Mukhari hospital on Friday organised by the department of health and the Tshwane metro.
“The abuse of nyaope and other substances in our communities is out of control,” she said.
The event was attended by various stakeholders in the community including patients who are undergoing mental health treatment.
Dr Lenkwane said the event was an attempt to break the stigma surrounding mental health.
Dr Lenkwane explained there was a clear connection between drug abuse and some mental, emotional and behavioural disorders.
“Drugs of many kinds can cause or exacerbate depression and other mood disorders. They can also cause or increase anxiety. There are several ways drugs can cause an emotional problem,” she said.
“People may behave differently when under the influence. It is clear that people under the influence of nyaope can be psychotic. It is also beginning to be clear the psychosis does not always go away once they stop using. The way nyaope abuse damages some parts of the brain is making some researchers look at specific structures in the brain as possible causes for many cases of psychosis,” she said.
Speaking during the event, police spokesperson Captain Gerald Sefala said police were concerned about the scourge of nyaope use in the community.
He said nyaope use has had a devastating effect on townships and other communities across the country in the eight years since it became known.
“Pretoria, has been identified as the capital of nyaope production and use,” he said.
According to Sefala, dealers and users have been known to mix a combination of heroin, detergents, ARVs and, in some quarters, battery fluid and/or rat poison.
One user said it was part of everyday culture in the townships.
He said it was a drug of poverty.
“Many families have suffered since it became the street drug of choice for many young people,” he said.
He said many youngsters who are hooked become unruly and anti-social. In many cases, they turn against the police, including their parents and caregivers.
Sefala said the campaign was intended to curb the spread of addiction and “hopelessness” in communities around the country, starting in Ga-Rankuwa.
“Harsh warnings were issued to youth about the dangers of drug abuse, while alternatives such as sport, recreation, education and skills development were presented.”
“Every family or household in communities such as Ga-Rankuwa, Soshanguve, Mabopane, Mamelodi have a nyaope user; many of them schoolchildren,” he said.
“Nyaope is an evil turning our friends, brothers, sisters and cousins into hardened criminals, willing to steal and beg for their next fix.
“It is high time the business community came on board to offer the youth alternatives to drug abuse, like skills development, education or entrepreneurship,” he said.
“Nyaope must fall and the youth need to be at the forefront of leading the war against this social scourge,” he said.
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