cent. The perpetrators of the crimes were either under the influence of drugs or trying to secure money for their next fix. Hazel Luphindo, from Mdantsane, mother of Luxolo Luphindo who was a drug addict, said: “Having a child who is addicted to drugs is heartbreaking. Luxolo used to listen until he started using drugs. In trying to support his habit last year he was involved in a break-in which resulted in his immature death at only 21.” “Not only did I lose my son because of drugs but relationships were also broken,” added Luphindo. The compulsive use of any substance despite its negative and dangerous effects has become one of the social threats that mandate attention. What starts with trying to taste once grows and roots down to a point where one cannot live without the drugs and because of this addiction families are broken, dreams are shuttered and sometimes lives are lost. According to the site www.addictionsconsellor.com, no single factor can predict whether a person will be addicted to drugs or not. – WSU-SNA