Addressing the experience of parents of substance abusing youth : a model for pastoral care

Abstract

This study concerns itself with the task of creating a pastoral care model, which can be used by the church to provide effective spiritual care to the parents of Nyaope-addicted youth. Nyaope is an emerging yet highly addictive drug, which has gained a strong foothold amongst the youth in South African Townships. Addicts often become delinquents in society by turning to criminal activities to support their habit. Parents suffer great financial loss at their hands as well as additional trauma brought on by aggression and intimidation from the addicts who try to solicit money from them. Parents also go through immense emotional distress caused by worrying about their addicted child as well as societal stigma. While addicts are able to receive help in rehabilitation centres, parents and families are left to pick up the pieces of the disrupted households by themselves. This study sees the church as a key-stone in the community and emphasises the importance of the church’s role in bringing healing and restoration to the parents and households who have been devasted by the effects of Nyaope on their children. The study provides tools, which the church can use to support these parents and provide them with emotional and spiritual healing, which will be, enable them to restore their dignity, their families and their households.