Several communities on the Cape Flats have been severely affected by substance addiction, leaving residents grappling with social and economic devastation. Addiction runs deep, affecting households already struggling with various social ills. Its impact is far-reaching, often leading to crime and, in some cases, death.
Shaahid Kimmie of the Refocus and Upliftment Foundation (RAUF) emphasised that once someone becomes addicted, their life revolves entirely around their next fix.
“You surrender to the substance, and it controls you to the point where you do not even recognise yourself. It changes you as a person, and everything that once mattered, such as your family, friends, and work, becomes insignificant. All you are fixated on is the next high,” Kimmie explained.
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Clinical social worker and addiction professional Judith Gordon-Drake highlighted that recognising the personal consequences of addiction is a crucial first step toward seeking help.
“If you are misusing a substance and notice people withdrawing from you, losing things you have worked hard for, and becoming a shadow of the person you once were, then it’s time to reach out and get help,” she stressed.
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Both experts agree that addressing addiction requires not only professional support but also community awareness and intervention to prevent the cycle of harm from continuing.
