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IYouth and Drugs-John and Suzans Testimony

Once upon a time, the youth was supposed to mean an age of innocence. Today, step into any classroom in South Africa, ask five teenagers if they have ever tried drugs and four are likely to say yes. According to the medical research council (MRC) 17% of all addicts in the rehab centers are teenagers compared to 6% in 1997.

This sad and chaotic sight was no different in the life of Bro John. Some of his friends at school used to sniff glue and cocaine and he soon joined their gang, he became aggressive even used to rob people on the streets. He married Suzan thinking that he would be more responsible and change his ways

It started from day one, recalls Suzan. Arguments, fights and not coming home at night. When he finally got home, it was like hell. He would be aggressive wouldn’t let me sleep and because of all these problems, my performance at work deteriorated. All I could think of was the things he had said and done to my children and me.

It was like my family didn’t exist for me says John, I was drinking, smoking being unfaithful to my wife, and I wasn’t only dagga, I was also doing mandrax and rocks. After a while, I didn’t care any more even started using drugs in front of my children. And if my wife tried to impede me, I would beat her up.

Suzan recalls that she tried to speak sense into John’s mind many time, but in vain. Till the day I had enough. So I packed my things, took my children and went to my parents’ place. Then he came after me, promising to change. I went back home and everything would seem alright but only after some weeks, there he was again with his girlfriend and drugs, she comments.

I was earning a lot of money in my job but I would spend it all on drugs, alcohol and girlfriends, leaving nothing for my family. I went to rehab centers many times trying to look for help but as soon as I left, I would go back and do all those things again. Seeing no improvement, my wife left me again and I lost my job. That was when I realized I was going nowhere in life. Now I had no family, no job, no money and no friends. I was just sitting all alone, not knowing that to do. My wife gave me another chance and came back home, and everything seemed to be going well until I started having an affair with one of her best friends.

“For me that was the end!” Suzan remembers. I thought I was going to lose my wife forever, recalls John with emotion. “That was when I decided I had to do something to change my life. I couldn’t continue like that. I just didn’t know how or where to go”

John remembers that he used to pass by in front of CBC and hear people praying but he never had courage to join them in prayer. Till the day I was so hopeless that I didn’t care about what others would say or think about me. I just went inside and heard the word of God. That was the beginning of the change.”

I saw a big change inside of Him. He wasn’t abusive anymore, I didn’t see him with friends or drugs and he was showing love towards my children and I. So I came to Jesus as well and today we are happy. I never thought I could love someone but our love grew as we learned to put God’s word into practice, says Suzan

I left drugs, stopped being unfaithful to my wife and quit the gang. I have received the power of God in my life. Before I had only heard about Jesus but now I have had an experience with his power. I can say that Jesus Christ really lives and I am living proof of that! Finalize with a big smile on his face.