# Whoonga

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This article is currently slated for merging into another article. This article has been nominated for merging. In the discussion, editors reached a consensus to merge its contents into Heroin. You can assist with the merge by following the merging instructions. (April 2026) Do not remove this notice until the merge is carried out.

Heroin in South Africa

This article needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (October 2025)

**Whoonga** (or **wonga**), **nyaope** and **sugars** are South African street names for [heroin](/source/Heroin).[1][2][3][4][5]

Heroin came into widespread use in South Africa in 2009[6] but the epidemic of heroin addiction has escalated since 2013[1] as prices have fallen rapidly in recent years.[1] Heroin is primarily used by unemployed young men.[4]

## Usage

Heroin generates intense feelings of [euphoria](/source/Euphoria), deep contentment, and relaxation. It also [reduces appetite](/source/Appetite_suppressant). Effects may last two to four hours.[7] The drug is usually inhaled after being warmed in a glass pipe but can be also smoked with [cannabis](/source/Cannabis) in the form of a [joint](/source/Joint_(cannabis)),[8] and also may be [injected intravenously](/source/Intravenous_injection) although this is rare.[9]

## Rehabs

While there are many rehabilitation centres for wealthy people struggling with addiction in South Africa there are very few facilities for the poor. Some have argued that people struggling with heroin addiction are treated as the 'undeserving poor' and subject to policing rather than medical interventions. In the populous province of [KwaZulu-Natal](/source/KwaZulu-Natal) there are only two government rehab centres accessible by poor people.[10][5]

## Stigma

Heroin users are often referred to as 'amaparas' a term that researchers say is a [dehumanizing](/source/Dehumanizing) and derogatory term that implies worthlessness and criminality. The term is perpetuating [marginalization](/source/Marginalization) and [discrimination](/source/Discrimination), while preventing an understanding of the addiction crisis as a medical issue and addicts as people requiring social support.[5]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-CopelynGroundUp_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-CopelynGroundUp_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-CopelynGroundUp_1-2) [Heroin use has spread as prices plummet](https://groundup.org.za/article/heroin-prices-have-plummeted-in-south-africa-opening-up-new-markets/), Jesse Copelyn, *GroundUp*, 9 October 2024

1. **[^](#cite_ref-CopelynMaverick_2-0)** [SA is facing a fast-escalating heroin crisis — and it’s being misunderstood](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-04-17-sas-fast-escalating-heroin-crisis-is-being-misunderstood/), Jesse Copelyn, *Daily Maverick*, 17 April 2024

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [The work of whoonga, an epidemic on the move](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2018-07-27-the-work-of-whoonga-an-epidemic-on-the-move/), Mark Hunter, *The Daily Maverick*, 27 July 2018

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Hunter_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Hunter_4-1) [Heroin hustles: Drugs and the laboring poor in South Africa](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0277953620305487), Mark Hunter, *Social Science & Medicine* Volume 265, November 2020

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Buccus_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Buccus_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Buccus_5-2) [Time for a rational response to the heroin epidemic](https://www.iol.co.za/opinion/imraan-buccus-time-for-a-rational-response-to-the-heroin-epidemic-378b9053-f9a5-4321-a2d2-40b3a1ce228a), Imraan Buccus, *IOl*, 30 October 2024

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Maseko, Nomsa (18 March 2015). ["South African townships' addictive drug cocktail"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-31620569). *BBC News*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Nyaope / Whoonga"](https://wedorecover.co.za/glossary/whoonga/). *WeDoRecover*. 14 April 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-cronje_8-0)** San-Marié Cronjé (21 December 2015). ["Signs and symptoms of the use of Dagga and Nyaope"](http://ridgetimes.co.za/50419/signs-and-symptoms-of-the-use-of-dagga-and-nyaope/). *Ridge Times*. Retrieved 10 February 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-molobi_9-0)** Stephens Molobi (1 February 2017). ["NYAOPE BLOOD SHOCK!"](http://www.dailysun.co.za/News/National/nyaope-blood-shock-20170201). *DailySun*. Retrieved 10 February 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** [Where are the government rehabs?](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/opinion/2023-08-28-mark-hunter-where-are-the-government-rehabs/), Mark Hunter, *Business Day*, 2023

## Further reading

- Corrine Louw (12 April 2011). ["Whoonga Battle Lost"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304191354/http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2011/04/12/whoonga-battle-lost). *The Sowetan*. Archived from [the original](http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2011/04/12/whoonga-battle-lost) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 5 February 2023.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Whoonga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whoonga) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whoonga?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.