Whoonga

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Whoonga, also called wonga, nyaope, or sugars, is heroin sold on South African streets. It became common in 2009, and the problem grew after 2013 when prices dropped. It’s mostly used by unemployed young men. The drug can make people feel very happy, calm, and satiated, and it usually reduces appetite. The effects last about two to four hours. It is usually inhaled after heating in a glass pipe, but some smoke it with cannabis in a joint, and it can be injected, though injections are rare. After the high wears off, people often feel cramps, sweating, chills, anxiety, restlessness, depression, nausea, and diarrhea. More serious risks include internal bleeding, stomach ulcers, and death.

There are many rehab centers for wealthier people, but far fewer for the poor. In KwaZulu-Natal, only two government facilities are accessible to poor people. Some media stories about whoonga/nyaope contain urban legends. For example, in early 2017 there were sensational claims that users could share the high through small blood transfusions called “bluetoothing.” This is false and not a real street practice. Other sensational claims that the drug contains rat poison, HIV medicines, or pieces from old TVs have also been debunked; tests show whoonga is basically heroin.

Researcher Jesse Copelyn says such tales make the drug seem exotic and distract from the real problem: a heroin crisis in South Africa. While some say most users commit crimes, studies show many work for very low pay, often for other poor people. A common nickname for users, “amaparas,” is demeaning and stigmatizing, and it makes it harder to treat addiction as a medical issue that needs social support.