FROM ZERO TO HEROES

Drug addicts praise rehab centre

VERNON Kane was trapped in the dark hole of drug addiction.

Kane, who hails from Limpopo, has a national diploma in journalism.

But, like thousands of youths in Gauteng townships, he fell into the claws of the notorious drug, nyaope.

“I was down and out. I felt like zero,” said Kane, of Ivory Park, Tembisa, in Ekurhuleni.

“But now I ’ m a hero,” Kane said at the Thiba Nyaope Rehab Centre in the township.

The small drug rehabilitation centre has been helping nyaope addicts kick the habit.

It survives on a shoestring budget and the will and determination of its founders, two former Umkhonto weSizwe cadres Terrence Dzeli and Bulelani Mbuthisi.

The addicts ’ families pay R1 000 for the sixweek rehab and a retail store provides groceries.

“We need a holistic approach to deal with fundamentals creating drug abuse,” Dzeli said.

He said the centre produces independent and skilled individuals. Among the skills taught are construction, engineering, business, arts and music.

Medication to detoxify the drugs is also administered. “But we need to find these young people internships to move beyond rehabilitation when they are out. Lack of funding is frustrating.”

Dzeli also appealed to the Sector Education and Training Authority bodies to throw their weight behind these young people.

Lindani Madlopa, 20, said the centre has given him a lifeline and he wants to resume his cost management accounting diploma.

Madlopa dropped out of Vaal University of Technology in second year because of his nyaope addiction.

“I ’ ve only been a week outside and my parents are happy. I ’ ve quit all the bad habits and bad friends.”

Tracey Magasela, 32, said she has been clean for three years after a crack cocaine addiction and sleeping with lots of men who paid her to fuel her addiction.

“I decided enough is enough. I ’ m back at school finishing off my matric, ” Magasela said.

“Some of my friends are dead.”

DA shadow minister of police Diana KohlerBarnard said she would write to Justice Minister Jeff Radebe and national police commissioner General Riah Phiyega to intervene in the war against drugs in Ivory Park.

Kohler Barnard was visiting the centre where she met with Dzeli and Mbuthisi.

“This community should be proud of these two gentlemen,” she said. –