​Jay Van Ross said addiction is painful as it can turn a brighter future into nothing in the blink of an eye. He said addiction knows no boundaries, nor colour or background or status, and everyone can be a victim of drug use.
The 34-year-old from Westbury in Johannesburg is still remembers how drugs nearly ended his life, saying it is a miracle that he is still alive after so much has happened because of drugs.

He adds that growing up, he had an amazing and supporting family, and life was good, he started working at the age of 19 years at Bay Port Financial Services in Rivonia. He believes that getting employed at a tender age was a major contributor for him to be hooked into drugs.

In 2009, after he met friends who introduced him to drugs, things took a wrong turn.

“Because I had money to buy alcohol and drugs, I was famous amongst my peers I had lots of friends”, he explained.

Van Ross said things were happening fast. " I became a drug mule and trafficker. Nobody trusted me, I was finally fired from work, and I ended up losing everything".

“I was deep into addiction, and I was also embarrassed because I was fired at work, so I couldn’t face the world, my life became a mess”, he said.

Van Ross started to lie to his family and did not sleep at home most of the time, and nobody knew his whereabouts. He started to sleep on the streets. “I was homeless and hopeless for almost a decade, with no one trusting me”, he added.

In 2022, after despondence and regrets, Van Ross said he decided to desperately seek help. “I realized that the path that I took was leading me to death if I do not seek help”.

He was referred to Lesedi Community Center (LCC), the organization funded by the Gauteng Department of Social Development, where he was taken to a treatment process through SANCA for six weeks.

“I remember my first days at the treatment Centre, I was so ashamed, discouraged and worthless and at times dragging my feet to the sessions, but those sessions ultimately had a positive impact on my life”, Van Ross said.

He said the journey to recovery has not been easy, he still must face triggers and cravings. However, he is determined to overcome every challenge that comes with it.

Van Ross further indicated that since he joined LCC his life has changed, and he managed to attain a digital entrepreneurship course certificate and he also registered his own business which deals with DSTV installations and maintenance.