Lebona Pinkoana is a recovered drug addict who could not believe he could turn his life around after spending some time in prison.
It all began five years ago, when he met a Social Worker from the Gauteng Department of Social Development, Ekurhuleni Region who referred him to a drug rehabilitation centre in Nigel, where he is now employed, and his life is back to normal.
Pinkoana from Sebokeng in the Vaal grew up in a disciplined family, but things changed when his father died, and it affected him badly as he said he was close to his father.
"My journey to drug recovery was not easy, I've been to different rehabilitation centres, I went to as far as Durban, but I always relapsed after few months. The type of friends I had also contributed to me living a life of drugs, as they continued to introduce me to various drugs," said Pinkoana,
"I remember when I started, I used to travel to school by train, along the way I would smoke cigarette and marijuana. This later escalated to hard drugs. I studied mechanics, fitting and turning. I got a learnership in Vanderbjilpark to enhance my skills. I subsequently got a job in Olifantsfontein and it was that time I met a friend who was from Johannesburg who introduced me to heroin. I got so hooked on the drug that I ended up selling my assets to feed the habit", he added.
Pinkoana ended up on the streets committing crime in order to buy drugs. This led to him being arrested and imprisoned with some of his friends. He claims drugs waisted his time and waisted his life.
"I want to advise the youth there is no one who wakes up in the morning and decides to use drugs, but bad company could lead you to that. Learn to choose friends wisely, even though peer pressure often dominates your decision making try not to appease friends and trying to prove to all that you afford drugs. I repeat stay away from bad company and work on securing your future".