NEEDLE TIME: A nyaope addict (above) takes a chance by injecting himself. Users around Gauteng and North West have resorted to sharing blood when trying to get a fix. INSET: Young boys prepare to get high.
Photos by Stephens Molobi
NYAOPE ADDICTS have taken to the needle.
They call it Bluetooth. Most people call it dangerous,
unhealthy and madness.
ADDICTS SHARE DRUGS AND SWAP THEIR BLOOD, USING ONE OLD, DIRTY SYRINGE.
“Injecting it is the quickest way of getting high,” a 25-year-old addict told Daily Sun, demonstrating how it is done.
“The addict mixes the drug with a small amount of water and pulls
it into a syringe, injecting himself.
“When I’m smoking, it takes at least two packets of nyaope to
loosen up. When I inject, it takes just one packet to get bofolla.”
But the addicts take it one step further.
“Bluetooth” is when an already high nyaope addict takes blood from
his own veins and gives it to his fellow addicts, who take turns to inject
themselves so they can get high as well.
The addicts defend themselves, saying: “Sharing is caring.”
They inject themselves in the arms, necks and even their
4-5s.
It appears to be happening in many parts of Tshwane, including
Attridgeville, Soshanguve, Mamelodi, Hammanskraal and parts of North West such
as Makapanstad and Mathibestad, where nyaope use is popular.
The addicts who rely on the first user usually don’t have enough
money to buy their own nyaope. They buy 10 millilitres of blood for about R10. A
nyaope smoker from Makapanstad said this is called “compromising”.
The 19-year-old said they each pay R10 and mix 30 millilitres of
the drug, injecting themselves with 10 millilitres each and using the same
syringe.
“We call it compromising.
“We know about the risks. We use loyal partners.
“You have to trust them and then everything is fine.”
Bluetooth has been happening for a few months, but lately the
practice has spread.
The worried mother of a 26-year-old addict from Hammanskraal said
her son is playing with his life.
“Once they start injecting, these lost souls have very little
chance of recovery. They are inviting death and sickness into their bodies.
“Smoking is bad but it is far better than injecting.
“They are all going to die.”
Dr Steven Mushadu said sharing syringes and needles in drug use is
very dangerous.
“It can have deadly consequences.
“This practice exposes one to various infections such as hepatitis,
which is inflammation of the liver caused by a viral infection, HIV and Aids,
cellulitis and thrombophlebitis, where you get a clot and inflammation of the
veins.”
He said drugs like this contain substances that cause harm to vital
organs such as the brain, kidneys, heart and liver.
