Confessions of Young Druggies

Source : Kutlwano

Author : Tefo Nombolo

Location : Gaborone

Event : Interview

This is a plea from a 15 year old Motswana teenager (Names with held) who says he uses cocaine and dagga. He started indulging in drugs some three months back.

Another, a form three studentvand 16 years of age, has been onvdrugs ever since he was 14. He takes in crystal methamphetamine popularly known as ‘tik’ (a drug that is usually ingested using a straw in a light bulb). Apart from crystal methamphetamine he is also into Marijuana.

He wants to quit but too much addiction renders him helpless. At times he cannot resist the edge of using the drugs as frequently as four to eight times a day. The two youngsters constitute just a tiny fraction of school going youth hooked on drugs. Therefore, it’s not uncommon to see young people in school uniform smoking ‘something’. Unlike the older generation, young people nowadays carry on the habit as if it’s the next best thing after their lives.

Regrettably, some parents are not even aware that their children re into drugs. “Such children project split personalities; at home they are quiet and well behaved while at school they are the naughty ones,” says *Laone. He is a former drug addict. He used to smoke marijuana and alcohol.

“After failing my form five I stayed at home and some friend of mine suggested that we sell drugs to students to generate some income.” He reveals that some drug peddlers conceal drugs in ‘Smoothies’ sweets wrappings. Also, they mix them with sweets and sell to students.

“Drugs destroy your life. I used to sell stuff from my mother’s house and when she found out she broke down and cried. That was the first time I had seen her cry and it tore my heart,” laments Laone.

Meanwhile, wanting to fit in with peers is one of the factors driving young people into drugs, reveals Laone. He says when he arrived from the UK he developed the urge to fit in with the local boys. He felt so lonely that drugs became his way out. But when conscience kicked in he turned to God with the help of his pastor brother and his wife. Another young lady says she is into drugs because when she is high it makes communication easier for her. Otherwise she is always  withdrawn and shy.

Local artiste, Smarh Matlakala, says breakups in families drive some frustrated young people into drugs. Smarh reveals that he once fell victim to drugs after his parents broke up. “Their breakup created a void in my life. Therefore, to fill that gap I started associating with people who introduced me to such things as ‘chibuku’ and before I knew it, I was into hard drugs,” he says. He explains that he used substances such as crack, cocaine and weed from 1996 until 2010.

One of the factors that lead to substance abuse is excess cash because some parents have a penchant for spoiling their children with all sorts of things. Consequently, research shows that marijuana which also goes by epithets such as weed or ‘mary jane’ is the most popular among young people.

Karabo Rantwa who is a counselor at Botswana Substance Abuse Support Network, confirms this. Rantwa says although there have been few cases of crack and cocaine in Botswana, marijuwana is the most common drug among the youth especially school dropouts.

“The problem is that there are no rehabilitation centers in Botswana. Government has been trying to curb the problem by raising the alcohol levy but there is no specific programme for youth who are already junkies,” laments one young person.

Another, Alpha Janie, says he used to smoke cigarettes and weed. Now Janie runs a rehabilitation center called Jubiliant Rehabilitation Center in Thamaga. He also recognises the

need for rehabilitation centers in the country and is willing to help young people who are struggling to quit but cites lack of funds as a challenge. “Sometimes my family helps me or I use my allowance,” says Janie.

However, not everyone realizes the folly of substance abuse and many young girls end up falling prey to older men who use them for sexual favours. Such is the tragedy.

Teaser:

My uncle introduced me to drugs so that when we are both high he can sodomize me. I hate it but my mother thinks I’m crazy when I tell her. I need help. It’s affecting everything around me. I’m failing at school. My rectum is loose. I want to die.