Glue-sniffing to ‘bear’ with life’s struggles
Review spoke to Sanca Director, Amanda Swart, about her experiences working with people involved with substance abuse.
POLOKWANE – Not only adults, but children too fall prey to drug abuse, in order to cope with life’s realities. One of the most prevalent substances abused by many is glue.
Swart said while she worked with homeless children living on the streets, she often came across children aged eight or nine who already had a serious substance abuse problem. This was not the only problem she encountered as many of the children were struggling with depression and other mental conditions.
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“Glue is a popular drug among people living on the streets and they get completely knocked out by simply sniffing the fumes of specific all-purpose glues. What people do not understand is that some of these children use drugs in a effort to cope with the harsh reality of being homeless on the street from a young age. They do not enjoy the basic things like a hot meal, a bed or bath and they regard these things as a luxury they are unfortunately not privileged to have. All drugs ultimately have an effect on the brain that causes a certain feeling, and since these kids do not like the way they currently feel, they use stimulants to help them cope and feel better,” she explained.
Swart added, however, this is not only a problem limited to homeless children as many adults also use glue and other substances just to make their lives bearable.
One of the counsellors at Sanca, Jacques Joubert, said this addiction is causing problems in various areas of the city, especially the Môregloed area.
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“The homeless people who live in the area cause havoc when they sniff glue. The glue is easily obtainable from various shops and once high on these fumes, they get aggressive towards each other and other people in the area, whether shop owners, customers or residents. I don’t live far away from where they normally gather and it is needless to say people nearby feel intimidated and unsafe,” he said.
According to the Department of Education, the number of young people using alcohol and drugs, often to the point of being hooked, is an extremely serious concern.
According to a National School Violence Study done by the Department in 2012, over a third of high school children knew other learners who have come to school either drunk or high on drugs. “This is of great concern because if these children do not receive urgent help, the possibility of them becoming more and more addicted as adults is very likely,” Swart said, urging everyone to become involved with community projects to help remedy this situation.
“This situation is definitely not going to be resolved by doing nothing,” she added.
For more information, queries or to join in voluntary work, contact Sanca at (015) 295 3700.
