Gauteng ramps up mass rehabilitation as underage drinking fuels drug abuse crisis
Thousands to receive treatment as government tackles underage drinking and substance abuse in Gauteng.
The Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) will embark on implementing mass admissions, which will see thousands of substance users in the province receiving a new lease on life as they go for rehabilitation on October 27.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and MECs will monitor the implementation to increase access to treatment for people with substance use disorder who cannot afford private treatment.
This initiative responds to the premier’s call in his State of the Province Address (SOPA) to expand substance abuse interventions on a large scale.
These admissions will ensure that people in need have equal access to rehabilitation services, including those in underserved communities.
However, it is also important to address the problem of underage drinking, which often leads to the use of harder drugs.
ALSO CHECK: Hospital promotes eye health on World Sight Day
AAccording to Aware.org (Association for Alcohol Responsibility and Education), an organisation promoting responsible alcohol use among adults, 50% of South African teenagers consume alcohol.
One of the organisation’s studies also found that a person who starts drinking before the age of 18 is four times more likely to develop alcohol and drug dependence than someone who begins drinking after 20.
In addition, a study conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) in townships across three provinces in South Africa, including Gauteng, provided insights into adolescents’ drinking behaviours.
In a sample of 3 518 adolescents aged between 11 and 18 years, researchers found that 67% had consumed alcohol at least once in their lifetime, with most having their first drink at 13 or 14 years old.
Alarmingly, almost a quarter of males and 16% of females said they had their first drink at 11 years old. This is concerning mainly because the study confirms that early initiation of alcohol use is associated with an increased risk of alcohol and drug dependency later in life.
ALSO CHECK: Village of Hope celebrates young child’s birthday
Data from the 2022 South African Social Attitudes Survey conducted by the HSRC further showed that 50% of South Africans aged 16 and older consumed alcohol.
However, 90% of these drinkers engaged in binge drinking, defined as consuming four or more drinks in one sitting (Bhana & Groenewald, 2019).
Binge drinking remains a serious problem in our society, particularly among teenagers. As we approach the festive season and the end of schooling, numerous occasions will encourage binge drinking among teenagers.
Last year, Social Development MEC Faith Mazibuko urged Ke Moja Ambassadors to identify hotspots where schoolchildren typically host parties and to help shut down such activities.
She said: “As government, we must outlaw the use of hookah pipes (hubbly bubblies) because drugs and substance abuse start there.
ALSO CHECK: Freedom Recovery Centre supports youth with free training
“That flavour they put there ends up being substituted by dagga, nyaope, and various other kinds of drugs.”
This is one of the bold steps the Gauteng Provincial Government has taken to combat alcohol and drug abuse among school-going children.
The National Liquor Act of 2003 stipulates that it is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to purchase alcohol.
However, statistics show that selling alcohol to underage users is a prevalent problem in our society. Alcohol consumption is often portrayed by South African youth as a positive social activity, but its negative effects are rarely discussed.
This is, therefore, a call to parents, families, and communities to lead in making young people understand the dangers of underage drinking.
Parents and families should take an active interest in their children’s well-being by maintaining open communication and offering support.
The Gauteng Government is addressing this problem through its Ke Moja, Tswa Daar, and Ba Kae campaigns. These campaigns, run by social workers, focus on school-going children, out-of-school youth, and adults.
