Statistics shows that more than 10.4 million people worldwide abuse the drug called crystal meth, known in South Africa ‘Tik’. In the Western Cape alone 90% of the users are young people between the ages of 12-19 and 10% of users are parents. Unemployment, poverty, gangsterism, poor parental examples or economic problems are said to be some of the reasons behind the abuse of this drug sold on the streets.
Dangerous consequences of using ‘Tik’:
Not only does “tik” affect the user physically, causing sweating, welts on the skin, long periods of sleep (in the beginning stages), diarrhoea, increased blood pressure, psychotic behaviour and restlessness, but also has an effect on their minds. It causes short term memory loss, paranoia and dementia, aggression and severe depression.
This drug can kill in several ways — by overdose, stroke, heart attack, kidney or liver failure, suicide from depression or delusions, accidental deaths, creating disorganised mental states, fatigue on the brain, dilated pupils, loss of appetite, rapid speech and reckless sexual behaviour.
Effects on the Family:
Abuse of this drug has a highly detrimental and negative effect on family units. People have lost their marriages, children, friends and even their careers. Families
are left with only three choices on how to help the users: Send them to jail, send them to a rehabilitation centre or worse, leave them to die.
Former user speaks out:
Colin was a drug addict for more than six years. “I used to be involved with bad friends and I ended up smoking tik and heroine,” said Colin.
He told Universal News that he had hoped to be a professional soccer player but his blossoming future went down the drain “I used to have a car, a good job and I had my own place. When I started using drugs, I lost everything. I went back home to live with my family,” he said.
To feed his addiction he would steal money from his family and use it to buy tik. “I ended up losing my family’s trust because of my addiction. At night I could hardly fall asleep as the drugs would keep me awake,” said Colin. When he joined the UCKG, he took part in the chains of prayer for God to change his life. “I decided to give my life to God. I put everything I learned in the Church into practice,” said Colin.
It was a challenge for him to stop using drugs, but as he became faithful to God, his life started to change.
Today Colin is living testimony of what God can do in a person’s life. “God transformed my life. I no longer do drugs. God blessed me with a good job and I also got married. I thank God ” said Colin
By: Roncha Belelle & Maggie Nyaunda