One is too many and a thousand is not enough

HIGHVELD – Drug abuse in South Africa is fast becoming a big problem.

According to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group, illegal drug consumption in South Africa is double the world norm.

This has led to an increase in crime rates, especially among poor unemployed South Africans.

Not only the poor and unemployed get involved in substance abuse.

The Ridge Times spoke to a recovered drug addict and alcoholic.

Here is what the person said about a life of alcohol, drugs and rock and roll: “You want to be able to party again like when you were 21.

“When we were young, we were able to drink until early in the morning and still be able to go to work.

“Since I have become older, I am not able to do that anymore and I was looking for another way out.

“A very dirty drug called Cat slowly began to take over my life.

“The more I drank, the more I wanted to use Cat and the more I used Cat, the more I could drink and stay awake until very late at night and even early in the mornings.

“Cat gives you a lot of energy and as long as I know I have some for the next day, I could survive because I had the drugs that would keep me awake.”

Cat is like meth in that it “speeds” you up, however, it completely lacks the mental “high” that meth offers.

Cat offers more of a “silly” high.

Some of the ingredients that can be found in Cat, are hydrochloric acid, acetone, battery acid, Drano Muriatic acid (used for sandblasting or cleaning mortar off bricks), Lye (crystal drain cleaner) and Toluene (paint thinner).

Very small pieces of glass are also worked into the beige powder drug.

The glass cuts into nose and sinus canals, causing the drug to be absorbed much quicker.

Street names for Cat are Kitty, Khat, QAT, Stroof, Katestroof, Jeff, Bathtub, Speed, Wannabe-Speed, Meth’s, Kitten, Marzipan, Cadillac, Express, Wonder Star, Wild Cat, The C or Gaggers.

It can be snorted or inhaled and is highly addictive.

Cat causes an intense psychological addiction.

“I had many friends who also used the drug and many that did not even know that I was using.

“My problems began when I was not able to go to work anymore, because I stayed up too late drinking and snorting Cat.

“Because Cat suppresses your appetite, I lost a lot of weight.

“Later I had to force myself to eat something.

“Cat has caused a lot of damage to my whole body.

“The drug gives you a huge craving for sweets, and because I ate so much sweets and combined with the damaging chemicals found in Cat, my teeth began to break,” said the recovered drug addict.

Drug dealers and runners make sure drug users stay addicted.

Runners are the street sellers who provide drug addicts with drugs and meet them wherever it suites them best to make a sale.

If you are a regular buyer, they would create a special hamper or package for you.

Especially over long weekends and during the festive season, these hampers are very popular.

A runner will send a message to regular customers with a special offer and a message saying “Merry Christmas”.

Dealers even send messages to their regular users telling them they miss them or that they have something special for them.

“The problem with alcohol is that it is socially acceptable.

“Drinking daily is not a problem and getting horribly drunk is also fine.

“Getting drunk was later not enough and I wanted more and wanted to be able to drink until the sun rises.

“Through my recovery, depression and nightmares were the worst.

“I do not have control over my finances anymore and can not even have one drink with friends.

“It is most important that you admit you have a problem and to get help.

“It is very hard work, dedication and mind over matter.

“Having a support team does help a lot.”

Lighthouse Church in Secunda has support groups for drug and alcohol addicts.

Also visit https://www.mobieg.co.za/quizzes/ and take one of the many quizzes.

Myrehab.co.za also offers help.

It is never too late to stop using drugs and to recover from alcoholism.

Join one of the many support groups and get your life back.