By Marx Itamalo|

A newly introduced lethal drug is said to be destroying youths in many parts of Ohangwena and there are fears its use will soon spread to other parts of the country.

Omutumwa is well informed that the drug called osuuka (sugar) is readily available to many youths and drug users in Ohangwena region.

A concerned and appalled parent, whose son uses the drug told Omutumwa that since his son started using the drug his life has become worse due to its highly addictive nature and is warning other parents to monitor the movement of their children and to check whom they associate with.

“My son has been using marijuana and that one I cannot deny. I used to speak to him but to no avail. I left him, and it was not much of a problem. But when he started using ‘osuuka’ he has become worse,” the father of three told Omutumwa. 

According to him, he discovered that his son was using the drug when he found him ‘half-dead’ in a toilet one afternoon at the beginning of April this year.

“He was alone in the house that afternoon as I had gone to work and the other children went to play. When I came back from work, I was looking for whoever was in the house as it was open.

“I saw his footprints going towards the toilet and found him there. He was seated on the toilet seat fast asleep and snoring loudly. On the floor was the drug concoction in a cool drink can which was cut in half. His smoking pipe was also next to him,” the single father told Omutumwa. He had to carry the boy into the house.

He explained that his son woke up hours later in the evening shivering and showing signs of insomnia and anxiety.

“I was angry and shocked but I controlled my temper and I did not ask him anything that night. I confronted him the next morning and I showed him the items and he admitted to using the drug,” the parent further told Omutumwa.

According to him, his son told him the ingredients of the drug: Marijuana, mosquito coils and Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs.

“I was shocked. I could not understand why my son took the path to use such a deadly drug. He told me a friend of his from his school in Oshikango and whom he does street gambling with introduced him to the drug.

“I just want to warn other parents to check the movements of their children especially boys and to monitor any change in their behaviour.”

The parent, an employee of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security says he is in contact with a psychologist to see how his son will be assisted. But now, he stressed, his son has resorted to stealing items from home to sell. He has also allegedly become violent and rude towards other members of the family.

A longtime resident of Oshikango confirmed to Omutumwa that ‘osuuka’ drug is indeed available in the town now.

“Many drugs have been available in Oshikango but ‘osuuka’ just came in this year. We had marijuana, cocaine and many others. But that one just came this year. I have seen it myself and I know people who take it. It’s a cheap mixture but very lethal and very addictive,” said Joseph Mathias.

According to him, many drug users who once used only marijuana have now turned to ‘osuuka’.

“The thing is that it can make you high quickly. That is why many people like it. But they don’t know how it is destroying them,” he stressed.

Mathias, a furniture shop driver, said many users of the drug in his location of Bonya in Oshikango are the youth. “Boys are using it also. If you come to that football field in the afternoon (pointing to a community soccer field), you will see them take it before they start with their training,” he pointed.

When asked why he does not report the matter to the authorities, he said, “I came alone with my bag in this town. You want to tell me their parents don’t know. They know. So, it’s their story.”

Mathias said the problems of drug use in Oshikango mainly emanate from the number of foreign nationals who are in the town. “We have so many people in this town who are from different countries. What do you expect? Everyone brings their own things. Good or bad.”

‘OSUUKA VS NYAOPE’

The ingredients of ‘osuuka’ are slightly similar to that of another lethal and highly addictive drug in South Africa called Nyaope. One of the cheapest, widespread and dangerous addictive drugs in South Africa, Nyaope originated in the township of Mamelodi between 2000 and 2006. It is mostly a concoction of substances such as rat poison, household detergents, ammonia, chlorine, ARV’s, brown heroine, tik and dagga.

Its effects include body aches, shivering, anxiety, insomnia and hot and cold flushes. A quick internet search reveals that Nyaope users start to neglect their school work or work and may soon quit school or work altogether.

The user’s need for extra money to pay for the drugs also increases, and this often leads to criminal behaviour when they have no longer legal access to money. Because the drug is so addictive, addicts may become violent when they are unable to access the drug and they can commit violent crimes against family members or friends in order to get money.

POLICE UNAWARE

Sergeant Andreas Nghiyolwa, the police sergeant responsible for community affairs and the police spokesperson in Ohangwena said he was not aware of the presence of the drug in the region. He nonetheless registered concern about it.

“It’s not a good thing and parents should open their eyes and speak to their children. Teachers should do the same at school. It is the only way to curb it and protect our nation,” he stated.

In the photo: For illustrative purposes, (image by News24).