'NO ONE THINKS IT'S THEIR KIDS'

Mitchell's Plain is one of the communities that has been quickest to
respond to the surge in tik abuse among high school pupils.

Earlier this month, community members got together with a
non-governmental organisation, the Saps and government departments to
set up the Mitchell's Plain Tik Task Team to co-ordinate efforts to
combat the spread of the drug.

One of the members of the team is Faiez Abrahams, who is a former drug
addict. He is now a Mitchell's Plain-based social worker specialising
in drug addiction.

"We are busy making people aware of the problem. We've trained 100 lay
prevention workers to go out to the schools on an awareness programme.

"The Department of Social Services has a working agreement with the
South African National Council on Alcoholism and the Cape Town Drug
Counselling Centre to train people on how to start support groups, how
to provide aftercare services after rehabilitation and drug
awareness," said Abrahams.

Their next step is a community march today culminating in "serious
talks" at the Portland sports ground.

"We're having this march because it must be clear that it is a
crisis."

Abrahams said the abuse of tik has become prevalent at high schools in
the area. While not every child at every high school is a user, all
are at risk.

"People think drug dealers are coming to the schools but it's the
youngsters selling it. They're being used by the drug dealers to sell
to their own friends."

He blames the sudden surge in interest in tik on the ease with which
it can be manufactured. A tik laboratory is easy to set up in an
abandoned warehouse or even someone's backyard.

The marginally-inactive compound of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine can
be found in over-the-counter cold and asthma medication as well as
common products such as red phosphorous, hydrochloric acid or
anti-freeze.

Other ingredients are then added to the ephedrine or pseudo-ephedrine
to produce methamphetamine or tik.

"It's all about the money. What I've seen is established drug dealers
diversifying their products. They're still selling mandrax and any
other type of drugs but they've discovered that there is a market (for
tik)."

Another factor contributing to the prevalence of tik abuse is the
denial of parents that their children could be taking drugs.

"No one wants to accept that their children are using, so when your
child does something, you question the motives of the other person."

Abrahams thinks drug abuse is the symptom, and the underlying problem
is that children are not getting what they need from the family unit.
"There's a lot of dysfunction in the family unit. Not only in
Mitchell's Plain, but everywhere.

"People would like to blame peer pressure, but I put it squarely on
the family because that's where the children learn."

Although he believes counselling at rehabilitation centres plays an
important role in dealing with drug dependency, Abrahams thinks
support in the form of being able to socialise and have fun without
the need for a mood alternating substance is even more important.

"It's important to find groups that are alcohol and drug free. Most of
the relapses happen because people can't handle being back in society.

"I think I have the right to tell my child not to do it because I
don't drink or do drugs. But if he sees me taking pleasure from
alcohol or drugs then what is he supposed to think he must get
pleasure out of?"