Substance abuse is a growing problem in south africa, with just more than % of the population having used a substance during their lifetime. Substance use is also associated with fatal injuries resulting from violence, road accidents, victimisation and poor societal outcomes in general. South africa s drug problem was contextualized by a comparison with global trends. Substance abuse 35 suicide 11 supervision 17 view by author. Examples from bloemfontein, south africa makalo ntili 1, fidelis emuze 2 and thabiso monyane 3 abstract alcohol and drugs are used in construction, especially by workers. In south africa, more than half the road accidents, more than 60% of the. Substance abuse is a serious problem in the work environment. By february 1999, the south african drug advisory board hailed an unacceptable increase in substance abuse and its associated problems. Elements of effective prevention programs there is a multitude of effective substance abuse prevention interventions that may have different areas of focus and can be implemented in a variety of settings. He added that south africa continued to be the regional hub for drug trafficking in and out of the country. Monitoring alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse treatment admissions in south africa, august 2015, phase 37, july december 2014 question 26182012 in parliament.
Exploring substance use among south african adult and young. There are limited data on substance use in south africa. Types of drugs addiction in south africa educate yourself. Drug abuse remains a growing problem in south africa with 7. A systems dynamic model for drug abuse and drugrelated crime. This paper focuses specifically on the issue of substance use, abuse and addiction amongst the 201220 services. Overall substance abuse in sa alcohol is the most common substance of abuse among adult population in sa. This was one of the findings in a research paper published by the bmc medicine journal recently, where researchers sought to find. Alcohol and south africas youth seggie south african. Latest drug statistics south africa 2016 south africa. Abuse was originally strong among south africas ethnically indian population before it spread to other ethnic groups, including the country s african population.
Original a patterns of substance use in south africa. Substance abuse is an enormous social problem in south africa, as elsewhere. Youth and drug abuse way report research methodology for the purpose of collecting all important data and information required to be processed for establishment of this report content, secondary data collection is chosen to gather all available information regarding drug abuse surrounding todays youth around the world. For south africa this would work out at about r8,7 billion per year an amount twice received in excise duties on alcoholic beverages in 20002001freeman and parry 2006. The national drug master plan that offers the blueprint for the countrys approach to alcohol and drug use shares the vision of a drug free south africa. For most of the patients cannabis was their primary drug of abuse, followed by alcohol at 23%. Alcohol abuse was a major problem in south africa and an estimated two million people could be classified as problem drinkers. According to an article published on parent24, weve gone from 8 787 people admitted for drug treatment in 2016 in sa to 10 047 in 2017. Page 2 of 20 1 aabstrraacctt substance use and abuse is associated with crime and offending behaviour, as well as with generally at risk behaviour. In south africa and papua new guinea more than half of all traffic deaths are attributable to alcohol consumption. How many children between the ages of a 12 and 14, b 14 and 16 and c 16 and 18 were receiving treatment for i alcohol and ii drug dependency as at the latest specified date for.
Drug trafficking and abuse have escalated since the end of apartheid 1992. Alcohol and drugs are perceived to be the leading cause of partner abuse in south africa, according to the latest peace maker barometer survey. Exploring substance use among south african adult and. Alcohol and drug abuse in south africa, as in the rest of the world, reaches across social, racial, cultural, language, religious and gender barriers, and places an immense health and socioeconomic burden on south african society. It is reckoned that we consume in excess of 5 billion litres of alcohol annually. The staggering stats of addiction in south africa at least 15 percent of south africans are said to have a drug problem, according to the countrys central drug authority. In order to understand the reasons for adolescent substance abuse behaviour, various theoretical perspectives were utilised and strategies to curb substance use were also identified.
How often did you have a drink containing alcohol in the. Prevention of and treatment for substance abuse act. Labour relations act, employment equity, basic conditions of employment, occupational health and safety, prevention and treatment of drug. South africa has no regular representative surveys on substance abuse. Substance use amongst secondary school students in a rural. Alcohol and drugs are the main causes of partner abuse in. Substance abuse refers to abuse of alcohol, legal and illegal drugs such as cocaine and tranquillisers. Almost 20% of south africans one out of every five adults abuse mindaltering substances, with alcohol, painkillers and dagga marijuana the worst offenders, topped by rising figures of illicit drug use suggest the country is losing the war on drugs. Hazardous or harmful alcohol use was assessed with the 10item alcohol disorder identification test audit, e. Given that middleincome countries such as south africa are at increasing risk for drug use and abuse, hard data to accurately monitor drug abuse in south africa is needed. Most of the families have faced family separation as a result of excessive use of drugs and alcohol. There is a drug freely available in the townships similar to flakka that was introduced in the late 90s to the streets of south africa townships and was legal to use as early as three years ago. In this concept note, unless a country is specifically mentioned, all statistics and references originate from south africa. Grootboom said the united nations recognised south africa as the regional hub for drug trafficking, and was the largest transit zone for illicit drugs in.
A conservative estimate of economic costs of alcohol abuse based on research studies conducted in other countries is 1% of gross domestic product gdp. The complex problem of drug abuse and drugrelated crimes in communities in the western cape province cannot be studied in isolation but through the system they are embedded in. But the lack of comprehensive data to understand the changing trends of substance use and the lack of treatment facilities leaves much to be. The researchers interest in the study evolved from her involvement with adolescent drug. South african law policy on substance abuse in the workplace no single legislationact that make specific provisions to substance abuse in the workplace. However, it is only when one misuses, become dependent on or overdoses on the drug that the problems arise. South africa is witnessing the scourge of addiction as the youth grows dependent on mindaltering substances. South africa s alcohol consumption rate has climbed, with the country now ranked as one of the top 20 biggest drinking nations in the world. The grass is greener in the private sector, which boasts 48 rehab centres registered with south africa s social development ministry and more than 70 outpatient centres. We describe patterns of substance use based on recent, nationally representative data.
Drug use statistics in south africa as reported by the united nations world drug report of 2014 drug abuse remains a growing problem in south africa with 7. Since the fall of apartheid, south africa has achieved enormous successes in the political, social and economic realms. Substance abuse is when you take drugs that are not legal. Its also when you use alcohol, prescription medicine, and other legal substances too much or in the wrong way. The drug problem in south africa is extremely serious, with drug usage reported as being at twice the world norm. Alcohol and drugs are the main causes of partner abuse in sa. Prevention of and treatment for substance abuse act south. The risk profile of alcohol and drugs on project sites varies, from catastrophic incidents resulting in great injury and or. This is because alcohol and drugs are becoming easier to get hold of, some may say that it is easier for a teenager to get drugs then it is to get alcohol. Drug abuse is recognised as one of the greatest social problems in south africa. Alcohol has a negative effect on the business community due to absenteeism, poor productivity, high job turnover, interpersonal conflicts, injuries and damage to property. But when it comes to drug addiction among young people, the challenge still remains, preventing many from getting an education or entering the job market and impacting progress towards the uns global goal 3 for health, goal 4 for education, and goal 8 for decent work and economic growth. How often did you have a drink containing alcohol in the past 12 months. Drug use among youth and adults in a populationbased.
A new study has shown that one in 10 deaths in south africa can be attributed to alcohol abuse in some way with men in low income groups the most at risk. Policy framework for the management of drug abuse by learners in schools and in public further education and training institutions. By contrast, until a decade ago, abuse of cocaine and heroin was hardly known as a major problem in south africa. African statistics regarding worker drug and other substance abuse in the construction industry are not readily available, international research has proven that it is an ongoing problem, and south africa faces the same challenges, particularly the consumption of alcohol. In south africa alcohol and drug abuse was signaled by former president nelson mandela in his opening address to parliament in 1994 as a problem among social pathologies that needed to be combated. The more you know about drugs, the more you will be able to protect yourself against them. Substance abuse among male adolescents by irene patience. One in every 14 people are regular users adding up to a total of 3. Interventions can involve the family, school, and community and may provide substance abuse prevention for an individual or a population of youth by focusing on environmental and community. The limpopo department of social development in partnership with the university of limpopo has conducted a study titled substance use, misuse and abuse amongst the youth in limpopo province.
Click for a detailed map pdf this map does not reflect a position by unicef on the legal status of any country or territory or the delimitation of any frontiers. Why sa is losing the war against alcoholism and drug abuse. Drug abuse often occurs alongside other conditions like mental illness. Request pdf drug abuse by learners in south africa.
When someone is under the influence of alcohol and drugs it is very difficult for that person to make good and sound decisions. Today, many people take some form of drug or medication, prescribed or over the counter, to address ailments, allergies or symptoms. Strategies for prevention and intervention of drug abuse. The south african depression and anxiety group sadag has partnered with the department of social development in launching a tollfree substance abuse helpline in an effort to increase access to help, support and appropriate treatment for substance users. Many are alcoholics or suffer from the consequences of an alcohol related or induced problem or disease. Meet the man helping youth fight drug addiction in south.
Alcohol abuse costs south africa at least r9 billion a year mrc. In light of sancas drug awareness week from 24 to 28 june and youth month, now is the perfect time to place drug abuse in the spotlight. Research has highlighted the link between alcohol and drug abuse and. Introducing substance use and abuse in sa brain behaviour.
Hence, there is a need for a counselling program in each school to provide support and refer such learners to an appropriate institution for rehabilitation. Substance use in southern africa knowledge, attitudes, practices and opportunities for intervention summary of baseline assessments in the republic of south africa, the united republic of tanzania and the republic of zambia whoundcp global initiative on primary prevention of substance abuse global initiative world health organization. But the lack of comprehensive data to understand the changing trends of substance use and the lack of treatment facilities leaves much to be desired. In light of sancas drug awareness week from 24 to 28 june and youth month, now is the perfect time to place drug abuse. Drug and alcohol abuse in south africa relapse prevention. Read more about different drugs and the dangers involved. South africa has made a lot of progress in addressing some of its social problems. The south african government and its partners are implementing the national drug master plan, 202017, which is a collective effort towards a south africa that is free of drug abuse. The study was conducted in the rural areas of zeerust, north west province of south africa. There are currently seven staterun treatment centres to service south africa s three major cities, all woefully underfunded and in need of professional staff. In south africa, the national drug master plan 2006, indicates that levels of substance abuse continue to rise with the age of first experimentation with drugs dropping to as low as ten years. Substance abuse refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs.
Substance use and abuse in south africa has arisen out of the thriving brainbehaviour initiative bbi at the university of cape town, which relates neuroscience and. Substance abuse workplace prevention in south africa. Substance abuse in south africa substance abuse data has been limited in sa. Alcohol and south africas youth south africa sa is a hard drinking country.
Implementation guidelines substance abuse policy substance. Strategies for prevention and intervention of drug abuse among students in secondary schools in kenya. Introducing substance use and abuse in south africa. The aim of this paper is to make a contribution to the developing south african literature on the subject of substance abuse, with a specific focus on the criminal justice system. Data were derived from the 2002 2004 south african stress and health sash study. Rural secondary school learners in south africa have a low prevalence rate of substance abuse. Substance use amongst secondary school students in a.
The researchers interest in the study evolved from her involvement with adolescent drug patients at magaliesoord centre. One of the key impacts of illicit drug use on society is the negative health consequences experienced by its members. When you have eliminated the javascript, whatever remains must be an empty page. The majority 68% of the leaners knew that substance abuse is dangerous to health. The majority of the students attested that substances can be easily obtained in their communities or villages. In this paper, a theoretical model to evaluate the syndemic of substance abuse and drugrelated crimes within the western cape province of south africa is constructed and explored. Drug abuse is becoming an increasing problem among students in kenya. This commentary comprises a reflection on these issues with reference to south africa.
One of the causes of drug abuse may be the attempt to manage the symptoms of an underlying mental illness. Mokopane dorijn verwey, owner of bread for life rehab, talked to bosveld and said drug abuse in south africa is on the rise. The aim of the study was to explore the influence of social factors on adolescent drug abuse. But in south africa in particular, tik crystal meth, or methamphetamine and alcohol are devastating society, aggravating poverty and crime, and contributing to child abuse and gender violence.
Alcohol and drugs are perceived to be the leading cause of partner abuse in south africa. Historically substance abuse data in south africa have been limited. Epidemiology of drug abuse treatment in south africa. The statistics showed that the use of cannabis, cocaine, and tik was twice as much in south africa as worldwide. Were going to tell you about the types of drug addiction in south africa. In the us, canada, australia, new zealand, argentina, and many european countries alcohol is responsible for around a third of all traffic deaths. This has since been supplemented by national surveys. The most recent sacendu report, for the first half of 2015, includes information from 75 rehabilitation centres and 10,936 in and outpatients. Jun 25, 20 the drug problem in south africa is extremely serious, with drug usage reported as being at twice the world norm. Drug and alcohol abuse in south africa has greatly increased and has a lot of effect that it causes. While mental illness itself is not thought to cause drug abuse, one condition may indicate, and be complicated by, the other. Information mostly come from ad hoc crosssectional national surveys, that aimed to look at health issues in sa and generally substance abuse was squeezed in somewhere. Until the late 1990s information came mostly from ad hoc crosssectional studies, often conducted in a single location, and from information on police arrests and drug seizures, mortuaries and school surveys. Worldwide and in south africa, the abuse of drugs has become one of the most challenging social issues.
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