When the Elderly Suffer from Drugs...

Mauritius has approximately 278,936 retirees. They built homes from metal sheets before upgrading to sturdier structures. They worked in sugarcane fields, factories, as housemaids, and dockworkers. They raised their children through hard work. Today, some live barricaded in their rooms.

An alarming phenomenon is growing: elderly people are being assaulted, threatened, and robbed by their family members. This is often due to drug issues. The tragedy is silent. From January 2025 to December 2025, authorities recorded 1,021 cases of elder abuse.

In a modest house in the south, 73-year-old Marie-Claire (name changed) trembles as she recounts her experiences.

"When he hasn’t taken his dose, he thinks everyone is trying to harm him. He screams, bangs on the door, and looks for money. I am scared of him," she shares.

Her 20-year-old grandson has been addicted to synthetic drugs for four years. At first, she didn’t want to believe it. "I thought it was just cigarettes." Then items and food started disappearing: milk, rice, fans, phones...

One evening, he tried to snatch her handbag. "I thought I was going to die in my own house." She never reported it.

In police stations in urban areas like Port Louis or Rose Hill, cases of elder abuse are increasingly reported.

Near Curepipe, 69-year-old Rajen (name changed) lives with his 33-year-old son.

"Every month when I go to collect my pension, he waits for me. If I don’t give him money, he becomes aggressive."

According to him, his son has threatened to burn the house down. "One day he raised his hand against me. I think I have lost my son to drugs." Now, Rajen hides his money with a trusted neighbor.

Under Lock and Key

In Port Louis, 72-year-old Amina (name changed) lives alone with her 19-year-old grandson since the death of her daughter. "When he takes that stuff, his eyes change. He thinks people are following him. He screams and tears the house apart. Every day I have to give him Rs 300, otherwise he starts yelling and acts like a tiger."

She now sleeps with the house keys under her pillow. "I am afraid he will go out at night to do something worse. I prefer it when he stays home at night. I can't put him outside. He has no one else."

"In many cases, it's a money issue to buy drugs. When grandma or grandpa says no, it leads to aggression.

There are threats, pushing, and sometimes they even assault their grandparents. The police act upon complaints, but often many do not report. We often suspect they make him pay a fine if he’s a first offender; otherwise, he gets a light sentence. As soon as he gets out, he goes back to troubling his grandparents," explains a police officer.

According to our source, synthetic drugs, sold cheaply and accessible to the youth, cause paranoid crises, fits of rage, and loss of control.

When a young person starts using drugs, they sell their belongings to get more. Then they turn to family property and demand their grandparents’ pension.

Ingratitude

At the end of our interview, Marie-Claire whispers, "We have worked our whole lives. We don’t deserve this." This statement echoes like a collective cry.

Synthetic drugs do not just destroy lives; they fracture families. They make old age unbearable. There are grandparents who tremble, hide their savings, and weep in silence. Protecting the elderly is a collective responsibility.

Mental Health Issues

Beyond the physical abuse and broken windows, there are invisible scars. Psychologists report severe depression, chronic insomnia, panic attacks, and feelings of guilt.

Many elderly blame themselves for the dependency of their loved ones. "I think I have failed as a parent," says a 75-year-old grandmother. Shame silences them.

"Some elderly believe that if they call the police, they will lose their children forever. They prefer to suffer," shares a social worker.

The fear of breaking up the family, emotional dependency, fear of retaliation, and the naïve hope that "he will change" explain their behavior.

National Scourge

The rise of synthetic drugs is not limited to a public health issue. It is becoming a family, social, and generational problem.

In some areas, NGOs speak of a sacrificed generation that drags down the most vulnerable: the elderly. There are prevention campaigns, but resources are limited in the face of the magnitude of the problem. The Social Security has established an Elderly Protection Unit with only five staff members.

Complaints

Authorities remind that elder abuse is a crime. Those affected by this issue can report it at the nearest police station. They can also seek protection against domestic violence. They can contact the Elderly Protection Unit - Hotline: 172 and 199 (24/7).