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Narcotics Anonymous South Africa in the Media

Another life saved the NA way

Tracy Sage – Staff Reporter, Pretoria Rekord – September 2000 (Pretoria East, West Central)

Yusuf Naiker*, 33, a recovering drug addict believes in the power of one addict helping another in the form of support groups. That is because almost a year ago Narcotics Anonymous (NA) saved him from his crippling self-destructive addictions.

Mr Naiker explains that NA deals with all types of addictions from Pethedine, Morphine, Valium, cough mixture, alcohol and even prescription drugs. Through NA he was able to kick his R2000-a-day crack cocaine habit.

His problems started in high school, but little did he know that tampering with illegal substances would lead to 16 years of addiction.

He started smoking Dagga and then moved onto harder drugs to create the same intoxicating effect. Later when the drugs stopped working he turned to alcohol. But soon even this was not enough. He finally hit rock bottom after using crack cocaine.

To support his addiction he stole from his friends and conned people out of money. Some days he would return home without shoes after having sold them on the street for money.

"I used drugs to suppress anger or to enhance happiness," he sighed.

"But soon I hit rock bottom after being on crack cocaine. I lost all self-respect and dignity," he said. "But there is always hope."

Mr Naiker pointed out that all an addict needs to do is admit that they have a problem, and then the healing process can begin.

NA has regular meetings in which addicts can confide in each other, and through the support of his peers Mr Naiker has been "clean" for 10 months.

He says that he now has a "new life" after dropping his habit and "wouldn't swop it for anything."

The NA Help-line is [083 900 69 62]. All calls are handled anonymously and in strict confidence. Workers at the help-line will refer addicts to meetings in their own area.

*Pseudonym used to protect identity.

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