Nyaope Drug Abuse in South Africa

The biggest problem in townships throughout South Africa is not the bogus pastors but Nyaope, also known as Whoonga or wunga, and it is traders. At every stop street and traffic light, there is a stinky, sleeping boy selling what looks like cigarettes, yet it is the evil Nyaope drug. Homes are shut, and parents live in fear of becoming a victim of crime from children who steal to support the addictive habit. The highly addictive drug is devastating communities all over South Africa.

The Nyaope drug is destroying the youth of South Africa and is forcefully given to children of all ages. The drug consists of rat poison mixed with heroin – dagga and antiretroviral drugs. The Nyaope drug can include detergent powder, milk powder, and pool cleaner leading to many social ills. HIV-positive people who use the drug are at risk because treatment is stopped, and Nyaope contributes to the spread of TB and HIV. It is a highly addictive, and dangerous street drug, unique to South Africa.

Drugs are a cause of the lunatic actions and by getting people hooked onto addictive substances, this will enrich the drug lords. As drugs are a problem in South Africa and an increasing nightmare for parents trying to prevent, children being swirled into the evil world of narcotics. Drugs are readily available in South Africa, and children are influenced from an early age to take illegal substances. Peer pressure, social inabilities and poor living conditions contribute to the children becoming involved in the dark world of drugs.

Most victims are too poor to afford the drug causing addicts turn to crime to support the habit. Children as young as 14-years-old become school dropouts and work for drug lords just to get a free hit. Young girls work as prostitutes to pay for drugs. The addiction is highly risky, and withdrawal symptoms are painful. Thus, the addict remains hooked in an attempt to avoid the excruciating withdrawal symptoms. There are reports of an increase of thieving gangs robbing HIV-AIDS clinics to obtain ARVs, an essential substance for making Nyaope. Nigerians dominate the drug trade and distribute toxic concoctions to children all for monetary gain. It is a terrible situation, and the government has ignored the plight of the spiraling drug problem that is ravaging the youth of today.
South Africa Today – South Africa News - Laura Oneale