A former self-confessed drug addict, Dean Pillay (36) from Lauduim is changing the lives of other drug addicts living in the area, by talking to them, sharing his story with them and motivating them to stop taking drugs and change their lives for the better.
Dean who has been on drugs since a young age has quit drugs a few years back and says he is “now living for the Lord.” Dean told the Laudium Sun, “I started taking drugs because of the peer pressure and wanting to ‘fit in’ with my friends. I started to hang out at the wrong places and with the wrong people. I smoked every drug that I could get my hands on, even the most expensive drugs, like cocaine, which are all readily available in the area. When these drugs did not give me a kick’ anymore I moved to cat drugs. I smoked weed for sometime and then basically every drug I could get my hands on. It was not a matter of choice but rather what was easily available at the time when one becomes desperate for a joint. Smoking all these kinds of drugs is very expensive and I got money through stealing, because I needed to feed the craving for the drugs and without stealing I could not afford to buy those drugs, so stealing was the only way to get these drugs and be high during a short time. I started to steal with friends and I ended up in jail many times, being in and out of prison.” Dean said. Dean added, “I decided to change my life and quit because I saw my family was suffering and going through a lot because of me and that touched me deeply. I put my family through difficult times and grief and I must thank God that my parents are still alive to see me, their son, being clean and having a bright and good future. It has been tough out there whilst I was addicted to drugs. Without family and no one caring for you and then going out and stealing and hustling for drugs, it is not easy. I have now joined forces with Pastor Kevin Naicker on a project called Sensisani Foundation and COUSAP and I am in charge of the drug-out mission program. I have started on this mission to fulfill my purpose and save souls for the kingdom of God and to also serve our community. I have been brought up in the community and there is a lot of wrong going on around here. It is especially bad for the youth growing up in Laudium, as drugs are easily available in the area. A lot of the youth and even the older generation are on drugs, alcohol and crime, which is ruining our community. Poverty is also a serious problem many in our community are facing. It breaks my heart to see people from my community, who I love, in this situation. I have dedicated my time to talk to them and motivate them has come.” Dean added, “Our anti-drug program starts at 11am every Wednesday morning at the Bethesda Revival Church, where all those on drugs attending are counselled. They are also motivated in getting out of drugs and we inspire them in getting professional treatment and each one attending is given a hot plate of food. This is an ongoing program until we finally open our rehabilitation centre and hopefully the program will never stop until I see Laudium free from drugs and alcohol.”
Dean is currently studying at Unisa for a teaching course. Another self-confessed drug addict, Floyd Mabena (41) told the Laudium Sun, “I started to smoke drugs since the year 2000 until now and I want to stop, but I don’t know how. I have attended the motivational talk by Dean and it helped me a lot and inspired me that one day I will change.” Another self-confessed drug addict, Jonathan, told the Laudium Sun, “I’m happy to be at the Bethesda Church and getting advice and talks from Dean and I pray to God that one day I will be like him and quit drugs.”
