Tackling drug abuse together
Between 24 and 28 June the country will mark the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA) Drug Awareness Week. It so happens the week also falls in Youth Month and therefore the challenges of drug and alcohol abuse among the youth will be placed firmly in the spotlight.
Drug abuse continues to be a major problem plaguing not only South Africa's youth, but young people around the world. Many turn to illegal drugs to seek relief from difficult circumstances at home or simply fall into the trap of peer pressure. Drug dealers prey on their naivety and vulnerability, creating a society where addiction and drug-related crimes are common.
According to SANCA, peer pressure, poverty, escaping pain and a number of other social issues lead to drug and substance abuse.
Government departments such as the Department of Social Development, the Department of Health and the South African Police Service all have programmes in place to combat the scourge of drug abuse.
Local and provincial governments, as well as a variety of nongovernment organisations, also have their own programmes to raise awareness of the issue and find solutions to the scourge. But there is still much that needs to be done to solve a complex problem which governments in developed and developing countries around the world are finding difficult to solve.
South Africa's government is currently in the process of finalising the National Drug Master Plan (NDMP) 2018–2022.The NDMP recognises that a society without drug abuse is within our reach if the right measures are taken. Following on from the NDMP 2013–2017, the new plan promises to increase access to treatment services and mobilise communities through local drug action committees.This second part is vital – the battle simply cannot be won without the assistance of parents, teachers and community leaders who are in contact with young people on a daily basis.
Whilst it is important to educate children about drugs, at home and in schools, often this is not enough. It is crucial that adults educate themselves on the root causes of drug abuse, the most common drugs that children may be exposed to, and the signs that may point to drug use. As the eyes and ears of their communities, they also have the important task of reporting suspected drugrelated activities to police, social workers and government officials so that swift action can be taken.
Meanwhile, government will continue to intensify its efforts to combat drug abuse, through drug awareness campaigns, police operations and master plans that translate into action.
Our future is dependent on dealing with this issue and government is crucial in the fight against drug dependency.