​Kopano Pitso says he is more excited and optimistic about the future after battling with drugs. The 25-year-old from Tshepiso in Sharpeville said crystal meth nearly ended his life, but glad that with the help of his mother, he managed to get help. He said it is difficult to overcome life on drugs if you don’t have a support structure, especially from the family. 
Pitso started experimenting with drugs while in high school, where he started experimenting with dagga and later graduated to mandrax. He said after failing to complete his matric in 2017, he began to be even more frustrated where in 2018, he was introduced by a friend to crystal meth, the drug that he used until 2022, when he decided to seek help. 

“I realized later when I was deep into drugs that this thing is tearing my family apart and I was no longer the trusted person in my own home as I was stealing everything, I was sometimes not sleeping at home, and because we were young and not working, therefore, we were unable to feed our addiction. We had to start stealing things from our homes and family members, later it escalated to the community. 

Pitso said the help came following the Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s announcement on government’ intention to ramp-up their fight against substance abuse in the province. 

His mother Palesa Pitso went to seek help from Social Workers on his behalf using the call centre that was established for parents who want their children to be taken for a treatment. 

“I was one of the first group that was taken to the Dr Fabian & Florence Treatment Centre in Cullinan, and I spent nine weeks at the centre which made a huge difference in my life. Being at the treatment centre has opened my eyes to many things through the help of the care workers at the centre”, he added. 

Pitso is now four months clean since he returned from the treatment centre and he is currently attending End-User Computing skills development at Kitso Information and Development Centre at his hometown of Sharpeville. He completed life skills program which he said helps him to cope or deal effectively with the demands of everyday life even though he is unemployed. Pitso also completed Grade C, D and E security certificates since he returned from a successful rehabilitation process. He said he is looking forward to the future as he navigates his new journey of living without drugs. 

Since he returned from rehabilitation process, Pitso is has even started a household garden for his mother where they produces green peppers, cabbage and spinach. He said the garden is one of the activities that keeps him busy and away from bad friendships. 

Well done Pitso! Keep it 100.