Community leaders warn that easy access to cough syrup and prescription drugs is fuelling a growing substance abuse crisis among schoolchildren in KwaZulu-Natal. Picture Credit: UkAddictiontreatmentcentres
By Aisha Zardad
Kwa-Zulu Natal — Community leaders across Chatsworth, Phoenix and Verulam are sounding the alarm over a disturbing rise in schoolchildren misusing prescription medication and cough syrups to get high.
The trend — which includes the use of Xanax and codeine-based cough mixtures — has sparked urgent calls for intervention from parents, schools and community organisations.
In Chatsworth, activists say pupils are accessing these substances with alarming ease through tuckshops, informal traders and hotspots like the Bangladesh Market. Some are mixing cough syrup with fizzy drinks to create a dangerous concoction known as “Lean”, raising fears of growing dependency among teenagers.
Pranashen Pillay, director of Child Welfare Chatsworth, described the situation as deeply concerning. He warned that many pupils mistakenly believe these substances are safe simply because they are medically prescribed.
The impact is already being felt in classrooms. Pupils under the influence are struggling with concentration, memory and motivation, while teachers report rising absenteeism, disruptive behaviour and declining academic performance.
The issue is also spilling into safety concerns. Reports of pupils selling and sharing substances are becoming more common, raising fears that drug use is being normalised within peer groups.
Community leader Rocky Naidoo said access remains dangerously easy, alleging that some vendors are openly selling cough mixtures, antidepressants and pain medication.
“There are serious concerns about the legality and quality of these products,” he said, warning that some may be counterfeit or expired. He has called for stronger law enforcement action to clamp down on illegal sales.
Brandon Pillay of the Bayview Community Police Forum raised similar concerns, saying “Lean” is widely available and even consumed during school hours. He warned that addiction is becoming more common, with some pupils becoming involved in drug distribution.
In Phoenix, Aroona Chetty from Phoenix Child Welfare confirmed cases where pupils are acting as “runners”, supplying drugs to peers. Some affected children have been referred to support groups such as Narcotics Anonymous and the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence.
In more severe cases, some young people have reportedly left home to avoid intervention.
Rachel Wilkin from the Verulam Community Police Forum said similar patterns are emerging in her area, with pupils misusing antidepressants, painkillers and nerve relaxants — often mixed with soft drinks to intensify their effects.
She warned that the consequences can escalate quickly, leading to dependency, impaired judgement and emotional instability.
Wilkin added that the crisis reflects deeper social pressures facing young people, including academic stress, social expectations and limited emotional support.
Community leaders are urging parents and teachers to act now — by monitoring behavioural changes, securing medication at home and creating open lines of communication with children.
They also stress the importance of early intervention and healthier coping mechanisms, such as counselling, mentorship programmes, sport and the arts.
As concerns grow, stakeholders agree that only a coordinated response will curb the trend and protect learners from what is fast becoming a dangerous and deeply rooted crisis.
