Boozing threat to students
ALCOHOL abuse is a serious global challenge with severe harms that manifest as economic, health and social problems and costs (Sibanda, 2019; Matzopoulos, Truen, Bowman and Corrigall, 2014).
The costs are worse for an African country, South Africa, which ranks sixth globally as a nation of drinkers (Chelwa and Van Walbeek, 2019).
In 2003, the cost of alcohol-related harms in South Africa was estimated at R8.7 billion; and the cost further went up in 2010 when R17bn was allocated by national and provincial government to deal with these harms relative to R16bn in tax and excise revenue and to this end, South Africa recorded an annual loss to the fiscus of R1bn (see Matzopoulos et al., 2014).
Health-wise, the challenges stem from improper, excessive, irresponsible or self-damaging use of addictive substances (Sibanda, 2019).
It is estimated that South Africa is one of the countries most affected with health-related costs as evidenced by 80% of male youth deaths related to alcohol consumption (Liebenberg, Du Toit-Prinsloo, Steenkamp and Saayman, 2016).
Contrary to these macro-level, health-related costs that are often prioritised at the expense of those borne by individuals; micro-level health realities present the Justice and Peace Commission (JPC) for the South African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) with an opportunity to explore the personal problems and how these transform into public issues.
The SACBC implemented its JPC DGMT “Strengthening Communities through Reducing Alcohol-Related Harms” baseline study in 2019/2020 targeting systemic, social and individual factors that contribute to the prominence of a drinking culture in South Africa.
This micro-level research focused on taverns located in Klerksdorp and Port Elizabeth as well as students at Nelson Mandela University and the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Broadly, the study reveals high rates of alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harms such as physical and mental health issues and the increased risk of HIV infection and STIs.
Literature further reveals that the health harms are also evident in alcohol-related injuries, intentional injuries such as interpersonal violence and suicide; and unintentional road traffic injuries; and infectious diseases, predominantly tuberculosis and HIV/Aids (Room and Shield, 2018; World Health Organisation, 2018).
In light of these realities, the JPC DGMT’s ongoing project strengthens and fosters thriving safe communities that are free from economic, social and health problems caused by harmful alcohol use. Building on the successes of the preceding UN Women HeForShe (H4S) sites of change framework (Batisai (2019), the JPC DGMT project leverages taverns and men in taverns as sites for progressive dialogues and interventions aimed at reducing and even ridding society of the alcohol-related harms.
The theoretical framing of young people within universities as sites of change is informed by the reality that adolescence is a foundation that influences the health of future generations.
If not prioritised, these young men and women, as observed in the context of reproductive health (Sawyer, Afifi, Bearinger, Blakemore, Dick, Ezeh and Patton (2012), will grow into adulthood with existing and established patterns of health challenges.
Batisai is a professor of sociology at the University of Johannesburg