Our Vision

To be the most effective and sought after organization in (a) preventing chemical dependence* and (b) exposing the truth of addiction.

Our Mission

A voluntary, non-profit organization motivated to address chemical dependence* in South Africa through offering a prevention program free of charge and therefore making an impact in our country's future.

*Chemical dependence = Alcohol and Drug addiction

Why TNT?

The reintroduction of South Africa into the global community has brought about many changes in the country. Although many of these changes have been positive there have also been negative effects. One of these is a dramatic increase in the availability and use of illegal drugs. The reason for this is that South Africa has been identified by international drug syndicates as an emerging and lucrative market for drug distribution. Coupled to this is the fact that the greater South African public and especially the youth have not been exposed to or educated about the dangers of drug abuse. They have all but been overwhelmed by the aggressive marketing methods applied by drug dealers working for these syndicates. On just about every street corner, in most places of entertainment and in many schools there are drugs available which were virtually unknown in South Africa until a few years ago. These include ecstasy, methamphetamine (Tik), LSD (acid), cat, cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin. Of course drugs familiar to South Africans such as marijuana (dagga), mandrax, and legal over the counter drugs like cough mixture, dieting tablets, alcohol and tobacco are still readily available. One should not minimize the role that these legal drugs play in illegal drug abuse. They are themselves highly addictive and are often the gateway that leads to the abuse of illegal drugs. It is not uncommon for addicts to stop using highly addictive drugs such as crack cocaine and heroin but not be able to give up smoking cigarettes. They then often return to their drug habit and usually end up in a worse state than before.

The perception of the general public of the drug addict lying in the gutter with a syringe hanging out of their arm - although true in certain extreme cases - is not the way drug addicts usually look or behave. This is especially true of modern designer drug subcultures where at raves and outdoor trance parties, ecstasy, acid and speed are combined with designer music and lighting to create an overall effect which is often percieved as being ‘cool’ or enlightening. The image of these subcultures is usually trendy and fashionable. Although the people involved often look down on the more rapidly destructive and physically addictive drugs such as mandrax, crack cocaine and heroin - and the users thereof - they are just as much addicts as they are. The difference is that while it takes longer to show physiologically that the person is addicted, designer drugs do tremendous psychological damage over a longer period of time. Even people who claim that they only use designer drugs on weekends when they go clubbing are nevertheless still addicted. By the time the naturally present chemicals in the brain have normalized it’s already Wednesday or Thursday and they can’t wait for the next party on Friday night. The fact is that most people addicted to drugs manage to live fairly normal looking lives from the outside in order to afford the increasing cost of maintaining their addictive lifestyle (functional addicts). Such a person’s life and work will slowly deteriorate however, whether at school or in a job or career. They will eventually have to resort to lying to cover up for themselves and often to stealing to support their habit. How long it takes to get to this point depends on the type of drugs used by the individual, as well as their circumstances and personality.