Do parents of teens know what their children face on the streets right now in terms of drugs offered?

“Marijuana is commonly offered, but the biggest danger in joint-smoking lies in the substances sprinkled over the weed. Often TIK, internationally known as crystal meth, is sprinkled over the cannabis in order to get an instant addictive result in the user,” says co-pastor Christiane van Heerden of Emmanuel Christian Church in Makhado (Louis Trichardt). Van Heerden (M.A.) is a psychologist and experienced family therapist who addressed teenagers on the topic on 11 October.

But what can parents expect if their children have fallen for the drug trap? “Expect to be strongly manipulated.  Expect to be given constant promises of getting help, of changing their ways. Expect a constant stream of ‘I’m sorrys’ coming to you.  Expect to be called at all hours of the night and expect excessive mood swings.  Expect to have property taken, money missing, and unexplained absences.  Expect to be blamed for their choice of lifestyle.  Expect a new set of friends who are engaging in similar conduct. Please always refer an addict for professional help. You cannot cure your child or friend of their addiction,” says Van Heerden.

In her comprehensive presentation for the teens, Van Heerden addressed the reasons why people take drugs, how drugs work and the effects of drugs. The visual material she used impacted the young people.

“People take drugs to change something about their lives but end up changing something essential about their own bio-functions that is almost irreversible,” says Van Heerden. Some of the reasons young people give for taking drugs are to fit in, to escape or relax, to relieve boredom, to seem grown up, to rebel and to experiment.

“All drugs of abuse increase the release of dopamine in the brain. God gave us dopamine as a natural stimulant which usually increases in response to natural rewards such as food, music, art and experiences of success,” said Van Heerden. She explained that drug users will typically lose their appetite for food and their drive to succeed at anything, simply because it does not cause any sufficient dopamine release anymore, since communication with the brain’s neurotransmitters is heavily altered.

Van Heerden pointed out the big misconception that smoking marijuana makes people more “arty” and creative. “This is not true at all; quite the opposite. The way a person perceives himself while on a ‘high’ might be groovy and arty, but that’s of course a delusion,” said Van Heerden. Today’s marijuana is also much more destructive than it was 30 years ago. Physical consequences include sore throats, chest colds and exposure to cancer-producing chemicals. The mental consequences of marijuana use are equally severe. Marijuana smokers have poorer memories and mental aptitude than do non-users.

The hard fact that teens and parents need to know, is that crystal meth is added to the marijuana joint, so that the dealer can get an instant addictive result in his client who easily affords the joint at R30 each.

What is crystal meth? Crystal meth is a form of methamphetamine, an illegal drug in the same class as cocaine and other potent street drugs. On the street, it is known as, among others, “ice,” “crystal,” and “glass.” It is a dangerous and potent chemical and, as with all drugs, a poison that first acts as a stimulant but then begins to systematically destroy the body.

“I was aiming to bring across complicated medical facts in an easy-to-understand and also rather graphic format, so that young people will realise what a dangerous gamble they are taking when curiosity is nagging them to try that first joint,” said Van Heerden.