The trend of new drugs entering the drug market has intensified in South Africa. Currently in South Africa, there is a fairly new drug on the market known as nyaope which is being abused mostly by the youth in the townships. Nyaope is a drug consisting of heroin, dagga and other elements like rat poison, cleaning detergents and even crushed antiretroviral drugs. Failure to find a solution to drug abuse can lead to economic problems and handicap the social development of the country, as well as threatening the life and health of the people involved. In the South African context, the value of aftercare has been downplayed and there has been relatively little emphasis on aftercare and reintegration services in both research and practice. Therefore, it was the goal of this study to explore and describe the aftercare needs of nyaope users from both the users' and the significant others' points of view in Hammanskraal. In order to achieve this goal, a qualitative research was adopted to explore and describe the aftercare needs of nyaope users from both the users' and the significant others' points of view. Due to the nature of the study, the researcher had two sampling groups, namely (1) nyaope users and (2) significant others. The study was guided by a collective case study design. Semi-structured interviews were used as a data collection method for this study and two distinct interview schedules were developed and used for nyaope users and significant others, respectively. The researcher aimed at answering the following two research questions: (1) "Based on the views of nyaope users, what are the aftercare needs of nyaope users in the Hammanskraal community?"; and (2) "Based on the views of significant others, what are the aftercare needs of nyaope users in the Hammanskraal community?" From the raw data, the researcher implemented thematic analysis as stipulated by Braun and Clarke (2006) in analysing the data. The researcher used credibility and triangulation in establishing the trustworthiness of the data analysis. The findings from the two sets of samples were unpacked in three sections, namely, findings from the nyaope users, from significant others and the combined data with the aim of triangulation. The key findings from nyaope users and the significant others are as follows: The key findings from nyaope users were that nyaope use has a negative impact on the physical, psychological, spiritual well-being of the users. Causes of relapse were identified as a lack of support from the government and family members, personal problems that users encounter during the recovery process, going back to the same environment and being coerced to go for treatment. Furthermore, nyaope users indicated that they value the trust of community members that is often lost and can be regained by a change of lifestyles following treatment and getting volunteering opportunities in order to create awareness at local schools. The users indicated that they could achieve total abstinence if they can change the type of lifestyle they were living before, such strategies include going for treatment, adopting a more conducive and healthy lifestyle, get adequate support from their families, attending group sessions following treatment, the implementation of an adequate aftercare programme that could assist in preventing relapse, the creation of employment and spiritual support during and post treatment. The key findings from the significant others were that families are victims of theft due to nyaope users' stealing to sustain their habits. As a result significant others are left with feelings of disappointment and hurt. Nyaope also impacts negatively on family relationships in a manner that there is a lack of communication and ineffective communication among family members. The significant others identified the causes of relapse as a lack of educational programmes in communities, high unemployment rate, a lack of spiritual support, inadequate aftercare programmes and the return to the same community and friends following treatment. Significant others also indicated that nyaope users require volunteering opportunities in communities as a form of reintegration and that nyaope users need to change their lifestyles following treatment in order to regain trust from the community. Significant others recommended that nyaope users require support from family, spiritual support from spiritual leaders and psychosocial support in order for them to maintain total abstinence. / Mini Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Social Work and Criminology / MSW / Unrestricted

Thesis ((M. A. (Media Studies)) --University of Limpopo, 2018 / This is a comparative study on the coverage of the consumption of nyaope in two South African tabloid newspapers, namely the Sowetan and the Daily Sun. The study examines how the tabloids understudy reported on the consumption of the street drug; nyaope, by determining the frequency and nature of news reports, assessing the quality of the news reports and comparing the news reporting styles adopted by both newspapers. The research report draws from media effects theoretical propositions, namely the agenda setting and framing theories. Detailed literature review on tabloids and coverage of illicit drugs particularly nyaope is discussed in this study. The study adopted quantitative-qualitative as the research approach through the use of descriptive design. In addition, data were collected through quantitative-qualitative content analysis. The study used the check list as a method of collecting data. Subsequently, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was adopted for the data analysis process. The study noted that the quality of any tabloid newspaper is centred on the manner in which it reports on societal issues like drug use and abuse, crime, health issues, politics, et cetera. The study results revealed that both tabloids’ frequency on the coverage of the consumption of nyaope was minimal as part of the requisite contribution towards combating drug use among young people. Furthermore, the study noted that the quality of news reports in both newspapers was truthful, accurate, fair, and balanced. The styles of news reporting indicated that the two newspapers made conscious efforts to avoid deliberate derogatory or discriminating references discriminatory towards nyaope users. In conclusion, the study examined the employment of mechanisms by the South African print media (tabloids) to ensure frequent, non-sensational, informed and detailed reporting, regarding issues on the consumption of illicit drugs particularly nyaope.

Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2020 / The use and abuse of illicit drugs is a challenge which affects people on a global scale and South Africa. The use of a new street drug known as nyaope (whonga) has been on the rise in the country amongst the youth, including university students. Its use is associated with a wide range of negative consequences such as poor academic performance, aggression, vandalism, rape, risky sexual behaviours, and social dysfunctionality. The main objective of this study was to explore the self-reported experiences and behaviours of students who use nyaope at the University of Limpopo. The study was qualitative in nature as the researcher wanted to gather first-hand, in-depth information. The sample was purposive in nature and consisted of 6 participants. Quality criteria were used to ensure the quality and rigour of the findings. Thematic content analysis (TCA) was used to analyse data. Six major themes emerged from the analysis which were supported by existing findings. The themes were identified as: causes of drug use, frequency of drug use, experiences of students, knowledge about the negative implications of the drug and self-reported behaviours. Participants reported experiencing a decline in academic performance, deteriorating relationships with others, poor physical and psychological wellbeing, behavioural changes and perceiving that they were discriminated against. The findings of this study are useful to aid in informing policy and interventions at the University. They may also help psychologists who work with drug abusers

Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / The purpose of this study was to determine and describe the lived experiences of youth residing in Elias Motsoaledi Municipality at Sekhukhune District about Nyaope. A qualitative research was applied using the Phenomenolgical research design to explore the lived experiences. The purposive sampling technique was used to select the participants at Rite Substance organization between the age of 18 and 35, and also the convenient sampling applied to select key informants. The study revealed that the youth Nyaope users experienced; the lived physical effects such as ;bodily weakness and strenght, bodily pains, drowsiness, loss of appetite and poor hygiene, the psychological effects such as mental relaxation, regret and worry, drug dependency and addiction, and the social effects such as family rejection, community stigmatization, relationship failure, engagement in crime, and economic and educational failure. As such, more funds, staff and resources are needed to assist in dealing with the Nyaope crisis.

Substance abuse amongst children is a major problem in South Africa and world-wide. The trend of new drugs entering the drug market has increased in South Africa. Currently in South Africa, there is a new drug on the market known as “nyaope” being abused mostly by adolescents in the Townships. The negative consequences of substance abuse affect not only individuals who abuse substances but also their parents and significant others. The researcher observed that most literature in the field of substance abuse focuses on the children addressing issues such as causes, effects, psychological impact and others. Very little is documented on parents‟ experiences and coping capabilities as well as the support they need or receive. This further contributed to the researcher‟s purpose of conduct this study to explore parents‟ experience and support needs with regard to their children‟s addiction to nyaope. / MA (Social Work)

Substance abuse amongst children is a major problem in South Africa and world-wide. The trend of new drugs entering the drug market has increased in South Africa. Currently in South Africa, there is a new drug on the market known as “nyaope” being abused mostly by adolescents in the Townships. The negative consequences of substance abuse affect not only individuals who abuse substances but also their parents and significant others. The researcher observed that most literature in the field of substance abuse focuses on the children addressing issues such as causes, effects, psychological impact and others. Very little is documented on parents‟ experiences and coping capabilities as well as the support they need or receive. This further contributed to the researcher‟s purpose of conduct this study to explore parents‟ experience and support needs with regard to their children‟s addiction to nyaope. / MA (Social Work)

MA (Psychology) / Department of Psychology / The aim of the study was to explore the impact of nyaope among the youth in the rural communities of Thulamela Municipality. The study adopted qualitative approach and exploratory research design. Population of the study were from Itsani, Maniini and Muledane villages in Thulamela municipality, both males and females, 18-31 and who were involved in the use of nyaope. Non-probability purposive and snowball sampling methods were adopted because participants who use nyaope are hard to locate. The total number of participants (8) who formed part of the study was determined by data saturation. Semi-structured interviews were used as a method of data collection. To ensure trustworthiness, pre-testing of the instrument was conducted to identify any potential problems. Credibility, transferability and conformability was well considered. Thematic data analysis was employed since the researcher was more involved in interpretation of collected data, thematic analysis enabled the researcher to capture complex meaning.

The purpose of the study was to explore the experiences of female nyaope injectors residing in City of Tshwane Municipality, Gauteng. The study was conducted at COSUP sites namely; Soshanguve, Pretoria CBD, Sunnyside, Mamelodi, Eersterust, and Attridgeville. The study focused on females who have a history of injecting nyaope, accessing substance use related services at a registered service provider within City of Tshwane Municipality, Gauteng. Research design of the study was exploratory, which is basically used to explore a new topic or learn more about phenomenon where little is known. The research approach was purely qualitative methodology. This permitted the researcher to deeply explore the lived experiences of female nyaope injectors residing in City of Tshwane Municipality, Gauteng. A qualitative in-depth interview method was used to collect data from 24 participants who took part in the study. Questions of the interview were semi-structured, in-depth one-on-one interviews and were used to explore the lived experiences of female nyaope injectors residing in City of Tshwane Municipality, Gauteng. The findings of the study revealed that females who are injecting nyaope, are at risk of contracting HIV and other blood-borne infections. The stigma that is perpetuated by families, intimate partners, communities, health care professionals, and police officers is creating a hostile environment for female nyaope injectors; which increases the risk of contracting HIV and other blood-borne infections. Harm reduction services have the potential to address the needs of female nyaope injectors if fully implemented. It can be concluded that there is a need for substance abuse service providers to implement comprehensive harm reduction services to curb HIV prevalence amongst female nyaope injectors. / Health Studies / M.A. (Social Behavioural Studies in HIV/AIDS)

Background: Drug rehabilitation is crucial for drug addicts. As much as drug rehabilitation (rehab) centres are helping in dealing with drug addiction. Some drug addicts may find that some of the drug rehabs do not meet their needs. Therefore, the study explored the experience of caregivers caring for nyaope addicts. Method: This study adopted a qualitative research approach and a case study design. The purposive sampling method was employed to select the sample. The sample comprised six caregivers. The structured interview and open-ended questionnaire were employed to collect data. An interview questionnaire was designed allowing the participants to respond at home and provide feedback. Their responses provided through this process were insufficient, participants were then requested face-to-face interviews and they agreed. Results: One of the main findings in this study was that caregiving affects the caregivers negatively. Caregiving has led to psychological and physical effects amongst the caregivers. Conclusion: A need was identified for support and awareness for the caregivers and rehabilitation centres in South Africa. This might reduce the relapse of substance abuse and help eradicate the number of substance abusers in South Africa. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology (Research Consultation))