'This drug destroyed my life': The nyaope users of Ermelo count the costs of chasing a hopeless high

ERMELO - The scourge of Nyaope, a street drug that has destroyed the lives of thousands of young people in Gauteng, is well documented, with over 50,000 parents seeking intervention for their children hooked on the drug.

Nearly three hours away from South Africa's economic hub lies Ermelo, a small town in Mpumalanga, where its youth is also reeling from drug and substance addiction.

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Eyewitness News witnessed young men taking turns injecting the street drug into their systems using dirty needles on the town’s bustling streets.

However, the main concern for community members is that the closest rehabilitation centre to Ermelo is two hours away.

University of Cape Town (UCT) electrical engineering graduate Werna Human is among many educated people in the town who are battling a nyaope addiction.

The 35-year-old, who blames peer pressure for leading him to drugs, has been hooked on the narcotic for nearly a decade

Human says there is nothing he wants more than to sober up, but withdrawal symptoms have pulled him back following every attempt.

"Every day of my life, every second as I’m speaking to you right now. I would love to start afresh, but that’s like taking a quantum leap in impossibility. I chase after R20 every day just to get a fix. After the fix, it's back to reality. It hits you again."

Feeding the desperation, the UCT graduate picks up a dirty and used syringe filled with the narcotic to finally get his high.

But the graduate is not alone. Four of his friends, who each have been under nyaope’s spell for well over a decade as well, also use the same syringe to inject the drug into their system.

Ntokozo Zwelakhe, who has been addicted for 15 years, says he feels he is losing his battle against the street drug.

The 43-year-old says the addiction has already cost him his wife and kids.

"This drug destroyed my life. I sold everything I had and used the money to get high. Maybe I need prayers. This drug cost me my wife and kids. I miss having a home and a family."

Delving into Wesselton, a nearby township where many young men are fighting drug and substance addiction, it’s clear the youth's dreams of a better life are slowly being stolen by the drug.

Twenty-three-year-old Samukelo Manyathi is one of the few addicts who has managed to beat his addiction.

"I have a nice home but at the peak of my addiction, I would flee from home. I slept in the streets and used cardboard and plastics to cover my body – that would feel comfortable."

Stories of how the young men of Ermelo find themselves hooked on drugs are plenty and in most instances with not enough places for them to get help.

Local NGO The Rebirth Movement, led by Kholwane and Angela Ncongwane, say it’s a pity families travel long distances to find the nearest rehabilitation centre.

MSUKALIGWA LOCAL MUNICIPALITY REPLIES

“Regarding drug abuse, the municipality participates in the forums and campaigns organised by the Department of Social Development in Mpumalanga Province.

“The Mpumalanga Department of Social Development refers addict, either voluntarily or involuntarily, to rehabilitation facilities that work with the department. Please take note that law enforcement officials are also addressing the selling of illegal drugs, such as nyaope, said spokesperson Mandla Zwane.

He added that the municipality was not directly involved in controlling illicit activities.