WHAT started off as an experiment for a father of two has turned into an addiction.
The Duncan Village man, who is not being named to protect his family, is addicted to the toxic nyaope drug.
Nyaope, the drug most commonly used in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, has arrived in East London. Nyaope can be bought for R40 a gram and its use has quickly spread amongst the youth of Duncan Village, although it is being used all around the city.
The man was introduced to nyaope at a friend’s place for his daily fix.
He said his friends asked him to try nyaope and after that without thinking twice he exchanged his usual drug for nyaope and has been hooked ever since.
“I guess I loved nyaope from that day. I used to smoke rock but after trying nyaope I found myself buying both drugs ,” he said.
In East London the drug can be found in Quigney, Southernwood and the Central Business District.
Although many users experienced side- effects from the drug, they still continue as it is highly addictive.
“I would get terrible stomach cramps and would ask people to sit on my stomach just to ease the pain ,” he added.
This week the Saturday Dispatch team visited Duncan Village drug addicts who freely explained how easy it is to access the drugs and how it has turned them into criminals to feed their addiction.
Nyaope is a mixture of different drugs like heroin, dagga and ARV tablets.
“A good mixed one has to smell like vinegar and you know that is good grade.”
They told the Dispatch that the only problem they have with the drug, was that the high lasts for less than an hour.
“We start craving for more. At times we engage in criminal activities to earn that extra cash for these drugs.”
Drug addiction in Duncan Village has become a problem and many residents have since associated it with the high rate of crime in the area.
In addition to nyaope, drugs such as tik, mandrax and dagga are commonly used and easily accessible at the township.
One of the addicts who spoke to Dispatch team was a 16-year-old who said he started doing drugs at age of 10.
“I was introduced to drugs at a young age. It started as a small habit. I just cannot run away from this, it’s in my blood. My mind is always thinking about drugs and I would love to stop ,” he said.
In recent months there have been reports that patients from Duncan Village Day Hospital were robbed of their ARVs by thugs who allegedly wanted to mix them to produce nyaope.
Duncan Village police spokesman Captain Stephen Marais said they are constantly making arrests in the area on drug-related crimes. — /
Nyaope hits EL streets and addicts can’t quit
The Duncan Village man, who is not being named to protect his family, is addicted to the toxic nyaope drug.
Nyaope, the drug most commonly used in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, has arrived in East London. Nyaope can be bought for R40 a gram and its use has quickly spread amongst the youth of Duncan Village, although it is being used all around the city.
The man was introduced to nyaope at a friend’s place for his daily fix.
He said his friends asked him to try nyaope and after that without thinking twice he exchanged his usual drug for nyaope and has been hooked ever since.
“I guess I loved nyaope from that day. I used to smoke rock but after trying nyaope I found myself buying both drugs ,” he said.
In East London the drug can be found in Quigney, Southernwood and the Central Business District.
Although many users experienced side- effects from the drug, they still continue as it is highly addictive.
“I would get terrible stomach cramps and would ask people to sit on my stomach just to ease the pain ,” he added.
This week the Saturday Dispatch team visited Duncan Village drug addicts who freely explained how easy it is to access the drugs and how it has turned them into criminals to feed their addiction.
Nyaope is a mixture of different drugs like heroin, dagga and ARV tablets.
“A good mixed one has to smell like vinegar and you know that is good grade.”
They told the Dispatch that the only problem they have with the drug, was that the high lasts for less than an hour.
“We start craving for more. At times we engage in criminal activities to earn that extra cash for these drugs.”
Drug addiction in Duncan Village has become a problem and many residents have since associated it with the high rate of crime in the area.
In addition to nyaope, drugs such as tik, mandrax and dagga are commonly used and easily accessible at the township.
One of the addicts who spoke to Dispatch team was a 16-year-old who said he started doing drugs at age of 10.
“I was introduced to drugs at a young age. It started as a small habit. I just cannot run away from this, it’s in my blood. My mind is always thinking about drugs and I would love to stop ,” he said.
In recent months there have been reports that patients from Duncan Village Day Hospital were robbed of their ARVs by thugs who allegedly wanted to mix them to produce nyaope.
Duncan Village police spokesman Captain Stephen Marais said they are constantly making arrests in the area on drug-related crimes. — /
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