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MAGALIESBURG HEALTH CENTRE

DE DEUR HEALTH CENTRE

DIVISIONS OF

CRESCENT OF HOPE SOUTH AFRICA

Serving humanity for the pleasure of ALLAAH

A GUIDE FOR PARENTS

WHAT PARENTS SHOULD KNOW

ABOUT DRUGS AND ITS EFFECTS

ON FAMILY AND COMMUNITY

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1. REASONS FOR TAKING DRUGS

The opportunity arose and the youngster just tried it.

They try it for the risks involved – it is exciting and daring.

To blot out and provide an escape for existing problems – these

problems can be personal, family, friends, school or even

perceived.

May be response to loneliness, feeling inadequate, lack of self-

esteem and/or lack in confidence.

Peer pressure at school and amongst friends.

For leisure purposes.

Parents arguing upsetting everybody in the family.

2. SOME COMMON SYMPTOMS OF DRUG-TAKING

Loss of appetite.

Being either unusually sleepy and sleeping long hours OR

Unable to sleep at night.

Bouts of talkative, excitable and overactive behaviour.

Being usually irritable, aggressive and even violent.

Telling lies or acting secretively.

Losing interest in school work and bunking classes.

Losing interest in hobbies and sport.

Money / valuables / household goods disappearing from home.

Unusual spots, sores and / or marks around the mouth and nose.

Stains and chemical smells on clothing and about the body.

Changing friendship patterns.

Coming to the notice of the police for unruly behaviour.

Strange tablets, powder or capsules found in his pocket.

Red blood shot eyes.

Yellowish brown stains on hands and palms.

Change in appetite and loss of weight.

Neglect of personal hygiene on body and clothes.

Lack of motivation and deterioration in scholastic work.

Strange unpredictable behaviour and change in moods.

Secretive behaviour, deviousness and lying.

3. DRUG EQUIPMENT.

Incense sticks or room deodorizers to conceal smell of dagga.

Plastic bank packets or unidentified packages wrapped in brown

paper.

Unusual pipes or broken off bottlenecks.

Scorched tinfoil, tinfoil tubes and matchbox covers.

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Syringes and needles (to inject the drug into the body). Can lead to

gangrene, HIV and AIDS, hepatitis, abscesses, thrombosis, blood

poisoning and overdose.

Tiny spoons (sometimes ornamental) and small containers.

Small mirror, razor and straws.

Scorched spoons marks and citric acid.

Cigarette papers and home-made cigarettes.

Blood stained cotton wool or other material.

4. IF YOU SUSPECT YOUR CHILD IS TAKING DRUGS.

Obtain reliable information about drugs and know the facts.

Involve yourself in your child’s life – get to know his friends, interest

and movements: get talking to each other.

Become aware of your child’s problem areas.

Be a good listener and respect his views and difference of opinion.

Let alcohol and drugs be a normal topic of discussion

Ask simple and direct questions about his habits, friends and

activities.

Get professional aid if needed.

Do not make blunt and angry accusations.

Do not judge him.

Do not let things slide hoping it will go away – it never does.

Back down temporarily if your child resists you getting involved.

Try to find out who he/she is getting the drugs from – it will most

probably be a friend or relative – it is very seldom a drug merchant.

5. THINGS TO DO

Take a balance view and do not over react or make tearful

recriminations.

It parents are taking drugs for a specific reason – explain to the

child why they are taking drugs and what the effects are.

Obtain as much information as possible from your child about the

circumstances, extend and duration of the drug abuse.

Find out if your child wants help to handle the drug problem. If so,

offer all the support you can and arrange to see your doctor or a

counsellor or social worker you know for professional intervention.

Take a clear and strong position that drug abuse is just not

acceptable.

Sketch your child’s adverse behaviour, mood swings and

deterioration in mind and body as a result of drug abuse.

Insist on a discussion with an expert to clarify knowledge and

attitudes.

Show your children that both parents love them and that whatever

happens this will not change.

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6. THINGS NOT TO DO

Do not regard this as a family disgrace. Rather think of it as an

ailment.

Do not nag, preach or lecture. The patient is already undergoing a

trauma.

Guard against a “holier than thou” or superior attitude.

Do not use the “if you love me” appeal.

Avoid any threats before you thought it through thoroughly and

very carefully and definitely intend to carry them out.

Do not hide the drugs or alcohol or dispose of them. He can buy

some more and will most probably push the person into a state of

depression.

Do not let the person persuade you to test / try or use the drugs /

alcohol with him/her for any reason what-so-ever. This will only

encourage the person to postpone the treatment for drug abuse.

Do not be jealous of the method of change the person chooses.

Think of it as help to cure an ailment that your loved one has. Do

not feel left out as he will come to you sooner or later.

Do not expect an immediate 100% change in his behaviour or

attitude. There is a period of “convalescence”. There may be

relapses; there may be times of tension and/or times of resentment.

Do not protect the person from this situation. The patient has to

learn to say no without being guarded against it.

Do not do for the person what he/she can do for themselves. Let

them/ him/her face the problem directly.

DO OFFER SUPPORT, LOVE, UNDERSTANDING AND ASSISTANCE

DURING RECOVERY.

7. GUIDELINE FOR GREAT RELATIONSHIPS AND BETTER COMMUNICATION

Accept your partner / son / daughter as he / she is.

Express appreciation frequently and avoid continuous and frequent

criticism.

Be honest and tactful at all times – this is a two way street.

Communicate from integrity – when your partner, son or daughter is

right then admit it.

Allow for differences of opinion and perceptions.

Share and explore differences and disagreements. Be willing to

compromise without pretending to agree while you actually

disagree.

Support your partner’s goals with honesty. Do not surrender your

own but try to be accommodating.

Give your partner the right to be wrong. Learn from your

experiences, errors and even what is right.

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Remind yourself that you do not have to get what you want

immediately but rather what is good for all.

8. TIPS FOR LEARNING AND USING GUIDELINES

Learn a little at a time. Everything need not be known or done

immediately.

Test your assertions – one at a time

Make continuous adjustment and improvements to your opinion.

Aim for improvement not perfection.

9. SOCIAL EFFECTS OF DRUGS

Drug abuse is increasing in all communities. Nobody, family or

community is exempted. Only families that encounter an addict

directly know the traumatic experience the family has to undergo.

They resort to stealing, pawning valuable items, fraud, hijacking,

dealing in drugs and much more.

The family has to bail them out of jail and live with the

embarrassment and the cost of bailing them out and the trial.

The trauma of not knowing where the person is or what has

happened. This leads to depression, insomnia and arguments

ensues.

Addicts become very selfish and go into denial.

Family members have to settle all debts – be it for the merchant or

people he conned.

Brother and sisters have to face torments from community members

and even pupils at school.

Overdose and suicide cannot be ruled out.

The strain of living with an addict can lead to divorce.

New drugs somehow get on to the market regularly – and they are

becoming more and more dangerous.

If your son/daughter/wife/husband is sharing drugs on your

premises, you could lawfully be committing an offence without

touching the drug.

10. SHORT TERM EFFECTS

Increased wakefulness and alertness

Increased physical ability

Jerky movements and fast reflexes.

Rapid speech.

Irritability, aggression and argumentativeness.

Increased appetite.

Dry mouth.

Tremors.

A false sense of confidence and power.

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11. LONG-TERM EFFECTS

Compulsive drug-seeking and drug use.

Little or no pleasure derived from formerly enjoyable activities.

Lung disorder.

Weight loss and malnutrition.

Sleep disturbances. Inflammation of heart lining, damaged blood

vessels.

Intense paranoia, suicidal thoughts and hallucinations.

Marked general physical deterioration.

12. HELP AVAILABLE TO THE FAMILY

The patient is not the only person who needs assistance to stop this

scourge. The family must be helped too. They will have to know how to

deal with problems that may arise once the patients has been

discharged. They will need to know and need help to cope with the

situation. Their expectations may differ from that of the patient himself. The

counsellor, who assisted the family when the patient was referred to the

centre, will continue to do so for as long as the patient remains at the

centre. If the family stays in contact with the centre, they can be assisted

when the need arises. As a rule the patient’s family needs to be helped in

the following matters:

To develop an understanding of the condition of dependence on

alcohol or /and drugs.

To develop an understanding of the problems that has led to the

patient’s dependence on the drug.

To acknowledge and understand the problems that resulted from

this dependency.

To find ways to bridge the gap between family members,

overcome the difficulties and solve these problems to the benefit of

all concerned.

To cope with the practical domestic problems that may arise, e.g.

financial, physical, mental strain, emotional turmoil, family

relationship and general attitude towards each other.

To keep in touch with the centre and advise them of the patient’s

progress.

To assist the patient in re-adjusting to his drug-free lifestyle.

Relatives are encouraged to join groups, such as the After-Care Group.

These groups’ aim is to help the adherent’s family and the dependant

themselves. It would also mean a great deal to them to meet others

afflicted with the same “disease”. They now meet people who are

suffering with the same affliction and understand their predicament. This in

itself is a great help to the family and the ex-addicted person as they now

know that there are others who can ease their pain and suffering through

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understanding and sympathy. Please refer to the section AFTER CARE

CENTRES to see which centre is closest to you.

13. ANALYSIS OF THE MOST COMMON DRUGS

a. Amphetamines (Tik, Speed, Cat) comes in powder or tablet form.

Effects: Upper

Comment: Found in most diet pills and supplements due to its

ability to increase metabolism. Heart rate will increase with a

massive surge of energy

Equipment used: Mirrors with white residue on it. Razor blades

for chopping lines. Globes for smoking. Small plastic packets.

b. Benzodiazepines (Roche, Rohypnol, and Rivitrol) Tablet form – often

crushed.

Effects: Downer

Comment: used to treat sleep disorder, depression, anxiety

and mood disorder. Comes under different names. USED IN

DATE RAPE.

Equipment used: Blank scripts and empty tablet push out cards.

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c. Cocaine (Blow, Coke, Crack, Rocks) White powder

Effects: Upper

Comment: More chemicals like drain cleaner, poisons, ratex,

speed and heroin can be added to cocaine to make it

stronger and more addictive.

Equipment used: Glass pipe (to smoke), mirror, razor blades,

rolled up notes, small pieces of square plastic.

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d. THC (Marijuana, Weed, Spliff, Dagga, Cannabis) Green herb plant

leave.

Effects: Downer

Comment: Heads/tip[s of plant dried and smoked. Become

red eyed, mood swings and eat a lot.

Equipment used: Rizal (cigarette paper), sieves, pips, eye

drops.

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e. Methadone (Physeptone) Liquid or syrup

Effects: Downer

Comment: Found in cough syrup, pain tablets and flu tablets.

Equipment used: None

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f. Methylenedioxymethampetamina or MDMA (Ecstasy) tablet -different colours.

Effects: Upper

Comment: Extreme happiness and falling in love, excessive

energy, used for clubbing, after effect of drugs is extreme

depression, low energy and inability to sleep.

Equipment used: None

g. Opiate (Heroin, Morphine, Pethadine) White powder

Effects: Downer

Comment: Derived from opium. Can be smoked, sniffed or

injected. Can be mixed with dagga or in a cigarette. Cause

extreme euphoria and a sense of well being

Equipment used: Tea spoons, syringes, burnt foil, mirrors.

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h. LSD (Acid) Small squares of paper or liquid form

Effects: Hallucinogen / Upper

Comment: Cause hallucination. Drops of liquid or paper usually

taken under tongue.

Equipment used: None

i. Phencyclidine (PCP, Angel dust) White powder and liquid form

Effects: Hallucinogen, Upper

Comment: Similar to LSD, cause hallucination. Often mixed with

ecstasy. Can be sniffed or injected.

Equipment used: None

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j. Solvents (Aerosol spray, Butane gas, Solvent based glue, Dry-cleaning

fluids, Paint, Paint thinners, Correcting fluid and petrol).

Effects: Upper and Downer

Comment: Can be found or bought anywhere

Equipment used: None.

k. Tranquillisers and Sedatives (Valium, Ativan, Librium – benzodiazepines.

Effects: Downer

Comment: May suffer unpleasant withdrawal symtoms. Found

in most medicine cabinets.

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Equipment used: None

l. Anabolic Steroids

Effects: Upper

Comment: Used by athletes. May cause liver cancer

Equipment used: None

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14. AFTER CARE CENTRES

Lenasia: Islamic Help Line

Information regarding the after care for all addicts and

counselling for the abused:

Person in charge: Appa Rehana / Sha Manjoo / Ahmed

Hassem

Situated at: 34 Cuckoo Street Ext 1 Lenasia (near Radio

Islam)

Telephone: Office hours 011 852 1930 / 011 852 7242

Days of operation: Tuesdays

Times of operation: 20h00 to 21h30

Johannesburg: Nana Memorial Hall

Information regarding the after care for all addicts and

counselling for the abused:

Person in charge: Ayesha Hurzook / Yunus Bismillah.

Situated at: 65 Foyle Street, Mayfair West Johannesburg

Telephone: 071 202 2141

Days of operation: Wednesdays

Times of operation: 20h00 to 21h30

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All patients and their parents / spouse / family members need

to attend the support and aftercare group for 2 to 3 weeks

before applying for admission.

Patients / parents / spouse / family members MUST attend

group meetings before (to prepare the patient for admission

and to find out if he is ready to be admitted) during his

incarceration (to help the family prepare for his release letting

them know what to expect) and after the patients release (to

help the patient and family members cope with the situation as

it develops in the future).

15. WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY

Should you find the person drowsy or unconscious, you must

First make sure they get fresh air.

Then turn them on their side and make sure their throat is clear

of any substance.

If they vomit make sure everything comes out – do not leave

vomit in the throat as the patient may suffocate.

Dial the emergency number for an ambulance or call your

doctor immediately.

Finally collect any tablet, powder or liquid and anything else

that may have been used in taking the drug and give it to the

ambulance driver or the person with him.

16. DETOXIFICATION PROCESS

WHAT IS DETOXIFICATION?

A detoxification programme is a process where harmful

substances that are lodged in the human body are removed.

These substances can be alcohol, drugs or any addictive

substance that creates a dependency on the constituent.

Although the body tries to reject the substance, it cannot do so

as the drug is lodged in the fatty tissue of the body. As the user

continues to use the substance, and adds other drugs to it, the

reserve of this harmful unwanted substance builds up over the

years. In a drug addicted person’s body, the chemical

substances in the drug affects them continuously.

Even after the patients leaves the centre “clean”, he still has

these substances in the fatty tissue which can and will surface in

due course. This leads to a craving for the drug and ultimately

leads to a relapse of the patient if he succumbs to it and takes

one more “just once”. He is hooked again. When the toxin is

released from the fatty tissues, it enters the bloodstream. At this

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stage the person experience a “high” that is produced by the

drug. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL DRUGS ARE FAT SOLUBLE.

It becomes extremely difficult and timeous to remove the drug

and its effects. It takes days (depending on the severity of the

case) to flush out the harmful effects without the detoxification

programme. Now there is hope that the chemicals deposited by

the drug can be removed in a much shorter period of time and

more effectively. It thus allows the addict to recover faster and

more efficiently.

MHC DETOXIFICATION PROGRAMME.

MHC has now in 2016 introduced the detoxification programme.

This is in addition to the programme we are currently running. This

purification process uses various vitamins and the patient has to

do intensive exercises and a sauna programme that induces the

chemical substances to leave the body through the sweat pores

in the skin. The process takes a number of days but is much

shorter than the number of days the body takes to remove the

harmful substance on its own. The vitamins used are safe and

helps to convert the fatty tissue into food for the body. In this

manner the chemicals are flushed out of the body. This method

has proven extremely effective. Recovery with this method is

more effective. We have been doing the detoxification

programme during 2015 to study the impact of it on the patient.

We are extremely happy with the results.

COSTS OF THE DETOXIFICATION PROGRAMME.

The cost of this programme is not part of the initial programme

itself. The patient or family members must phone the centre to

find out what the additional cost entails and whether this time

spent in this programme is in addition to the 6 (six) week

programme offered. It must be remembered that a programme

needs a qualified nurse and a separate facility to house the

patient during this period. This is due to the fact the patient must

be under constant watch because of his reaction to the

administering of the medications to counter the effect of the

addiction.

16. IBOGAINE TREATMENT

THE PROCESS

This process combats opiate withdrawals and comes from the root

of the plant called Tabernanthe Iboga. It combats addiction of

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substances which includes heroin, methadone,

methamphetamine, cocaine, alcohol and nicotine.

EFFECT ON PATIENT

Helps the patient on an emotional level. It merges the conscious

and unconscious minds. This is known as “awakened dream state”.

Memories and other hidden happenings come to the fore. The

patient suddenly gains clarity or understanding of all the events that

has taken place. What must be remembered is that each patient

reacts differently to the administering of this process. Patients feel

much less discomfort as well as fewer symptoms of withdrawal. It

combats depression and prevents the negative thought pattern

associated with depression.

HOW IT WORKS

This can become a very helpful part of the entire treatment at the

rehabilitation centre. It resets the mind and body of the patient that

would otherwise have taken days to achieve. It removes additive

substances restoring the balance to the patient’s neurochemistry.

The memory of addiction, dependency and craving is erased from

the body and mind. This process cannot be done repeatedly and is

effective on the first treatment. It is not addictive.

This is affected by Ibogaine and its metabolite Noribogaine, which

works over the course of a few days to clean up the body, restore

neurochemistry and even rebalances such brain chemicals as

dopamine, serotonin, endorphins and adrenaline in their condition

prior to the onset of addiction. It will help to quickly erase the

dependency and craving - especially if combined with the

beginning of a new, healthier way of living. Ibogaine travels to the

liver and then converts into norigaine. It then travels into the fat cells

and reduces both the craving and addictive thought pattern.

COSTS OF THE IBOGAINE PROGRAMME.

The cost of this programme is not part of the initial programme itself.

The patient or family members must phone the centre to find out

what the additional cost entails and whether this time spent in this

programme is in addition to the 6 (six) week programme offered. It

must be remembered that a programme needs a qualified nurse

and a separate facility to house the patient during this period. This is

due to the fact the patient must be under constant watch because

of his reaction to the administering of the medications to counter

the effect of the addiction.

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17. LONG TERM ADMITTANCE

After the patient has completed his/her 6 (six) week programme and he

feels that he would like to stay for another shorter period, he should

discuss this with the counsellor, director and Social Worker to get the

feasibility of the extra time he feels he requires to recoup. Alternatively if

the Social Worker, Counsellor or director feels that the patient would

benefit from spending more time at the rehabilitation centre, he/she

should discuss this with the patient and family. He should also discuss this

with his family or responsible person to determine whether it will be

affordable. Staying a longer period will entail that charges be levied on

the extra time spent at the centre. The director will determine the costs

involved as this will be determined by the length of the stay and the

required terms of incarceration. Magaliesburg has built extra rooms for this

purpose. This section will also be used for patients having relapsed and

want to come to the centre for a booster and time away from the

community. The period and cost will be determined by the request of the

patient, his sponsor and the director at the centre.