#KickYourHabit – ‘Township problem’ no longer an isolated crisis
The Department has focused on expanding free access to public facilities, particularly in provinces such as Eastern Cape, Free State, Northern Cape and North West where there was none before
The Department of Social Development is doing everything it can to discourage young people from experimenting with drugs.
This is part of the department’s focus this week during the annual Drug Awareness Week that runs from June 22 to June 26.
“The objective of the Drug Awareness Week is to educate the public and young people in particular, about the dangers and consequences of substance abuse for a drug-free South Africa. Every South African has a role to play in creating greater awareness about the dangers of alcohol and substance abuse, which has reached unprecedented levels,” said the Minister of Social Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu.
Key amongst others, the activities of the week are focused on preventing underage drinking and illicit drug use.
Once thought to only be a ‘township problem’, substance abuse and related crimes are now a serious national concern, with the emergence and easy availability of designer drugs such as nyaope and whoonga reaching rural areas.
South Africa’s approach to substance abuse is enshrined in the National Drug Master Plan (NMDP), a national blueprint to combat drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking and mitigate its negative consequences to South African society.
The NDMP is a five-year programme of action focusing on demand reduction, supply reduction, and harm reduction strategies in the general population, in particular on youth and those who are high-risk and vulnerable groups.
The NDMP is premised on the understanding that the scale of drug abuse and illicit trafficking in South Africa requires the mobilisation and the resolve of all key sectors of society and local communities.
Recently, Cabinet approved the National Drug Master Plan for the period 2019-2024.
The Department has focused on expanding free access to public facilities, particularly in provinces such as Eastern Cape, Free State, Northern Cape and North West where there was none before.
Treatment in private treatment centres is unaffordable for many substance users and their families as it can cost anything between R3 000 to R30 000 or even more.
There is now at least one public drug treatment centre in each province. These centres render treatment, rehabilitation and aftercare services to substance users to ensure full reintegration into families and communities.
