The impact of Crystal Methamphetamine upon parents : a pastoral care challenge

Abstract

The effects of the substance use problem extend beyond the children to include parents and other family members. This is especially true in a border town like Beit-bridge, Zimbabwe, where community members actively participate in the caregiving process by upholding the Ubuntu philosophy, and where parental bonds are stronger. This qualitative and narrative research examines the association between the parent and Crystal Methamphetamine child use problem. The use of Methamphetamine frequently results in increased sociological, psychological, physical and financial negative lived experiences. This changes the conversation regarding substance and drug use from being about a person, place, or event to one of suffering, outrage and a pastoral call for just participation. Even with the negative effects of Methamphetamine usage upon parents of addicts, parents nevertheless are expected to offer emotional support. As a model for caring and healing these negative lived experiences that parents are having, the research felt that by treating Wimberly and Gerkin interchangeably, it was shepherding. Wimberly used a narrative technique that demonstrated to us how parents’ stories can be taken seriously and how they can get over their shame-based traits by relating Jesus’ story which was employed in this study of overcoming shame. In their ministry of presence, clergy members serve as prophetic shepherds, and Gerkin’s teachings encourage resilience through journeying with the affected parents.