Substance abuse is everyone’s problem
In an effort to achieve the World
Health Organization's 90-90-90 targets, the George Municipality convened a meeting of stakeholders from the health profession and those involved in combating substance abuse.
The 90-90-90 target aims to increase HIV testing so that 90% of people with HIV are aware of their infection, 90% of people diagnosed with HIV are linked to anti-retroviral treatment (ART) and 90% of those on ART adhere and have undetectable levels of HIV in their blood.
The data presented at the George Municipality HIV and TB Summit held on 4 and 5 September was concerning, as it points to the fact that the authorities are fighting a losing battle against substance and alcohol abuse.
The aim of the summit was to establish a Local Aids Council.
Leachia Lee, HIV/Aids coordinator in the Community Development unit, told roleplayers that the burden of HIV and Tuberculosis (TB) is spread unevenly across South Africa.
The National Strategic Plan (NSP) 2017-2022 has identified 27 districts with the highest rates of HIV and 19 districts with the highest incidence of TB. The Eden District is identified as one of the highly burdened districts for TB.
Angelique Vezasie, the manager of the Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC), the facility at the George provincial hospital that provides care and treatment to women and children that have suffered abuse, addressed the summit on Monday 4 September.
"In the first quarter of 2017 there were 87 rapes reported, 16 sexual offences, 27 other sexual offences which includes pornography and teenage pregnancy, two cases of domestic violence as well as two cases of child abuse or negligence. What is concerning is that during August, women's month, the violence against women and children was higher than the average," said Vezasie.
"Fifty-two cases were reported in the month of August and in 14 of these cases the perpetrator was either the victim's brother or step-brother, a son or a husband.
"With us out there doing awareness and making them aware of their rights and the kind of help that is available to them, it is great to see that the victims are empowered."
In her presentation Denise De Beer, manager of the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency George (Sanca), discussed the negative influence of substance abuse on the HIV epidemic and the role of Sanca in combating it.
In many cases, substance abuse leads to unprotected sex, as the parties are intoxicated and make irresponsible decisions about sexual activities.
De Beer said, "Some substance users may be so desperate to use that they sell their bodies to obtain substances and become trapped into the industry, as they require money to feed their addictions."
Sharing needles and hookah pipes are also detrimental to one's health as it leads to the spread of diseases. Drug usage can also distract people from taking medication like anti-retroviral drugs regularly.
Sanca often has to deal with the patients' substance abuse first so that they can use their ARV medication with food, thus encouraging them to adhere to their medication.
Sanca offers four levels of intervention - prevention and awareness, early intervention, treatment, and aftercare. Service delivery focuses on the person with the substance use disorder as well as their family.
- George Herald journalist, Myron Rabinowitz, assisted Grade 11 York High learners, Lesmé Heyns, Nosinda Mgijima and Eugénie La Grange who attended the summit at the George Municipality, to compile the article. These Yorkies were job shadowing at the newspaper from 4 to 8 September.