CAT focuses on drug awareness
“Another drug which is becoming widespread in the South of Joburg is a homemade drug, Krokodile, this eats users’ flesh from the inside out."
SARAH Wissler, coordinator of Community Awareness Training (CAT), recently invited guest speaker Wayne Fearick from Local Drug Action Committee (LDAC), in Booysens, to talk to members about the drugs which are hitting the streets and schools in the South of Johannesburg.
“Tik, Nyaope and Whoonga are becoming widespread in and around Johannesburg. Tik is cheap, highly addictive and mostly smoked by placing the powder in a glass pipe called a ‘tik lolly’. Nyaope, which is a potent mix of dagga and cheap heroin, is also cheap and is easily obtainable. It is sometimes mixed with bicarbonate of soda, pool cleaner, teething powder and even Ratex, to make it last longer and gives users a stronger high. Whoonga is similar to Nyaope but also contains ARVs,” Wayne told the domestics workers who attended the meeting.
“Another drug which is becoming widespread in the South of Joburg is a homemade drug, Krokodile, this eats users’ flesh from the inside out.”
Wayne explained to the CAT members about the importance of informing the police if a ‘drug house’ is recognised. Phone 08600 10 111 (tip-off line) or SAPS Provincial Office on 011 274 7859.
Working with SAPS and security companies, Wayne is aware of what is going on in the community. “I am an addiction counsellor and help victims go through the processes of detoxing, then counselling as well as eventually assisting to help the victim find work. It’s a long process. Families find themselves in chaos if they have a member who is an addict and many don’t know how to deal with the problem, which results in the family falling apart. The first thing to do if you have a family member with an addiction problem is to firstly get help for yourself. Get support from others who are experiencing the same problem. Only then can you help the victim,” he said.
Constable Elizabeth Mnguni of the Mondeor SAPS also spoke at the meeting. “If you are found with even a small amount of a drug on you, you will be charged for being in possession of drugs. Please inform SAPS if you are aware of a drug dealer or know of a house where drugs area being kept.”
Free treatment for drug abusers is offered at public hospitals or contact SANCA on 0861 472 622. If you would like to chat to a counsellor, call LoveLife’s toll-free Youth Line on 0800 121 900.
