COSUP and POPUP bring hope

Posted on October 29, 2018

This morning I stood next to the bed of a young addict who injected heroin into his hand and had to be operated for a cellulitis infection. Anyone else standing there this morning would have seen disaster and hopelessness… not me, because an hour later I stood next to a COSUP (COMMUNITY ORIENTED SUBSTANCE USE PROGRAM) beneficiary who got top marks in his class at POPUP (People Upliftment Program skills training) and is starting a job on Monday.  A year ago he was still on the street smoking Nyaope (a street drug containing heroin). This young man testified today how his life has changed for the better and how he has a future. So for the young addict in the bed at Steve Biko there is hope… hope that he will not need to inject in his hand again, hope that he won’t want to inject in his hand again or any other part of his body, because he has hope of a better future.

The young COSUP beneficiary who got his certificate today said in his testimony that he arrived at POPUP feeling empty… now he has found something to fill his life with! This holistic approach is saving lives and reducing the harm that young people are doing to themselves. He received a certificate in Computer and Admin whilst another beneficiary received a certificate in welding. Fifty‑one COSUP beneficiaries have gone through the POPUP life skills and skills training this year so far.

- Author Kate van den Berg

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