Drugs Went From ‘Rich Man’s Skuif’ To The Four Room.

(Photos of houses are used for demonstrative purposes and are not affiliated with any drug or insinuation of any connecting to illegal activities)

Some of you may recognise the beautiful houses pictured above, which are located in affluent black people’s neighbourhoods around Gauteng. Before you conclude that I have forged a career in Real Estate. I’m addressing a sensitive issue which over time has translated into an epidemic problem that has gradually intensified. The effects have directly and indirectly impacted every neighbourhood household. Yep, you’ve guessed it, I’m talking about the effects of DRUG addiction.

Let’s explore a slightly different dimension and reveal a hidden truth. It’s the treacherous ploy by DRUG pushers to target vulnerable affluent black children and drag the poor with them.

The Freedom To Access Drugs

Back in the days, a DRUG like cocaine, for the most part, was inaccessible to the average black person. This DRUG was popularly referred to as “rich man skuif” due to its lack of availability amongst the poor. However, the face of substance dependency in black communities has changed drastically over the past 15 years. With the advancement of technology, it has become easier than it has ever been to access DRUGS.  Post ’94’s democratic South Africa passed new laws granting black people access to the so-called “Model C” schools. With this newfound freedom came the addiction problem, exposure to DRUGS!

 The First Trap Is Laid

As more black kids experimented with DRUGS like Cocaine, dealers spotted an opportunity to expand their clientele. They would take advantage of vulnerable children with easy access to money. Most of them had middle-class parents who either had high profile jobs and owned businesses. They were from neighbourhoods like Diepkloof Extension, Pimville Bester, Protea North, Naturena, Meredale, Mondeor and Spruitview to name a few areas. They came from highly respected families who epitomised black excellence. For DRUG pushers, these democratic and constitutional changes were an opportunity to turn the “cheese boy” kid into a DRUG slave. The cheese boy kid would then introduce his neighbourhood friend Bongani, who resided in a modest section of the township and whose parents were borderline poor, to this newly discovered DRUG that had the power to transport you to a heavenly place with a single snort of a nostril.

The Whole Hood On Lock

When Bongani also grew a monkey on his back, DRUG pushers realised that there were many like him in the townships but could not afford the ticket to ride the drug train. They realised that there were more “Bonganis” than there are “Cheese Boys” and an idea came! The devious plan was to expand their trade to cater for people like Bongani, who couldn’t afford to spend R300 on a gram of powder. So they devilishly created NYAOPE for him, a cheap and affordable DRUG composed of all sorts of toxic chemicals, with a promise to provide him with a similar experience. This would turn out to be a move that grows the industry exponentially and revolutionise the face of DRUG dependency, translating into millions of rands for DRUG syndicates. This move alone would ensure that at least one child in every black household is a user of NYAOPE. This move would terrorise black communities and enslave millions of “Bonganis” whose prospect for a bright future was extinguished by this demonic poison. This move would completely destroy black families, subjecting elderly members of the communities to all sorts of dread illnesses and diseases like strokes and heart attacks.

 I pray for the day when DRUGS are completely eradicated from black communities. And for as long as I live, I will dedicate my life to constantly provide education about the dangers of DRUGS to my people, because I cannot stand to watch another “Bongani” prematurely going six feet under

Gugulethu ‘GK’ Khoza is recovering addict who has turned his life around and will regularly share his experiences to inspire and help young men recover from addiction. More of his stories to follow.