Irresistible Temptation

“The use of drugs among teenagers increased by 1100 percent from 1997 to 2007, and is still increasing” (Scharff). As every year passes, drug addiction in South Africa becomes a bigger issue. Accessibility to drugs become easier and the addicts become younger and younger. As a teenager, using drugs is considered “normal” and not using drugs makes you an outcast.

Substance abuse and drug addiction does not discriminate; it preys on adults as well as the youth. 15% of the South African population is said to have a drug problem (Africanews) and teenagers and children contribute significantly to that number. Drugs are starting to control the lives of younger generations, making them obsessed with using and leaving them unable to think of anything other than when their next hit will be. Teenagers even young children are starting to use drugs due to how common they are.

The accessibility to drugs are getting easier and easier as years go by. “Dealers are on almost every street in Diepsloot. Nyaope only costs 30 South African Rand a hit. That's less than $3” (Sara). The consumption of drugs are very tempting due to the fact that there are dealers everywhere and the prices are so low. Even kids in schools are turning to drugs, some to make money, most due to peer pressure. Once they try it, they become addicted and share it with other people, causing a never ending cycle of use and addiction. The price of the drugs is no problem when using “bluetooth”, a mixture of heroin, nyaope, and the consumer’s blood. When using bluetooth, people inject themselves with heroin, draw their blood back up, then pass it to another friend to use (Sara). According to Sally Sara, Journalist from ABC News, “medically, it's unlikely there would be enough nyaope in the blood of one addict to trigger a high in another. So all that risk could be for nothing”(Sara). Young people are ruining their health for a high that may not even be real. The transmission of HIV, Hepatitis and other diseases are very high due to the blood being spread (Sara).

People are not receiving the help they need. There aren’t enough treatment centers in South Africa to help the people who need it. The government promised them a better life, but it hasn't come true for most (Sara). People were evacuated to Johannesburg from their shacks due to risks of flooding. Instead, they built malls and townhouses to help the refugees, putting aside the people who need help with their addiction. Their chances of receiving help are getting slimmer and slimmer. If there are treatment centers nearby, people simply can’t afford their prices; the prices are too high which is a major problem in the poor community. In an environment where people have to resort to stealing and prostitution to survive, they simply can’t afford the prices.

The addiction epidemic in South Africa continues to spread throughout the continent. Unable to resist the temptation, even young kids are starting to use drugs that will kill them before they reach adulthood. With needles littered everywhere and dealers on every block, not being consumed seems very unlikely.

Works Cited

Scharff, Constance. “Tragic Reality of Substance Abuse in South Africa.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, 5 Aug. 2014, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/ending-addiction-good/201408/tragic-reality-substance-abuse-in-south-africa.

Heerden, Margaretha. “Youth Drug Addiction Surge in South Africa.” Africanews, Africanews, 9 Aug. 2017, www.africanews.com/2017/09/08/youth-drug-addiction-surge-in-south-africa//.

Sara, Sally. “South African Addicts Share Blood in Dangerous 'Bluetooth' Trend.” ABC News, 23 Aug. 2017, 6:28 pm, www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-20/heroin-bluetooth-trend-growing-in-south-africa/8823256.