Be proactive with your drug-addicted child
ALEXANDRA – Love, tolerate children from rehab programmes.
Alexandra parents were urged not to wait until the last minute before seeking help for their children who are addicted to drugs.
“Avoid the potential regret by bringing them in for help when their tender brains are already damaged by drugs including those you may regard as of low potency,” said Mary Mashapa of Sanca’s Golden Harvest Centre which is an inpatient facility for children brought in for drug rehabilitation.
Mashapa said this on the sidelines of Sanca’s Valentine’s Day commemoration hosted for Alex schoolchildren at Altrec sports complex.
“The addicted children require a controlled environment with constant monitoring for them to remove the substances from their bodies,” Mashapa added that parents and the community should be aware that some children get into drugs to deal with emotional pain experienced in the home. “They do so to numb their feelings when parents don’t take charge and guide them positively in life.”
She said resorting to drugs was also compounded when the parents called their children names and threatened to disown them. “Also, it gets worse when parents do not attend sessions they are called for to discuss ways of helping their children. It makes them feel neglected and unwanted by the family and other support systems.”
Mashapa said while there may not be a manual on parenting, it started with acknowledging the primary role of family and parents in caring for children. “Sanca and other platforms are there to provide essential parenting skills where needed and moments like Valentine’s Day are appropriate opportunities to spread knowledge to children about self-love which should be complemented by the love they expect from parents at home.”
Mashapa added that society should also show love to their children in keeping with the adage ‘it takes a village to raise a child’. “Doing so will also enable us to tolerate those returning home from rehabilitation so that they don’t relapse.”
She urged the parents and schools to avoid having to refer children for rehab through the proactive action of early detection of associated behaviour.
“This can be done through drug policies which allow for random testing and monitoring before the situation worsens.” This she said should be complemented by offering the affected children advice and guidance.
“Provide positive options to encourage them towards drug-free lifestyles. And, don’t hesitate to refer them for professional support.”
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