Alcohol and drugs are the main causes of partner abuse in. An african proverb says a person is only a person through hisher connection to other people. Most of the families have faced family separation as a result of excessive use of drugs and alcohol. Substance use in southern africa knowledge, attitudes, practices and opportunities for intervention summary of baseline assessments in the republic of south africa, the united republic of tanzania and the republic of zambia whoundcp global initiative on primary prevention of substance abuse global initiative world health organization. A lack of recent and comprehensive data on the extent and costs of alcohol and substance abuse in south africa is a further barrier to developing scientific approaches to address the problem and. Drug use among youth and adults in a populationbased survey. Sanca nationalalcohol and drug rehabilitation and prevention. Illegal drug consumption costs the south african economy 6. Drug and alcohol abuse in south africa has greatly increased and has a lot of effect that it causes.
In terms of pharmacological properties, the substances most abused in south africa are depressants e. In addition, having been a victim of violent crime and sexual risk behaviour among men and having psychological distress among women were associated with any past 3month drug use. The former minister of social development, dr zola skweyiya, in an address on the 26th of june 2003, highlighted the fact that the scourge of substance abuse continues to ravage. Drug use among youth and adults in a populationbased survey in. Substance abuse and psychological wellbeing of south african. Prevention of and treatment for substance abuse act. Prevention of and treatment for substance abuse act 70 of 2008. Substance abuse in south africa, its linkages with. Drug use also puts a heavy financial burden on individuals, families and society. Pdf the substance abuse treatment workforce of south africa. Some of the most frequently abused substances in south africa are alcohol, methamphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, methaqualone mandrax, heroin, codeine and cannabis. The south african depression and anxiety group sadag has partnered with the department of social development in launching a tollfree substance abuse helpline in an effort to increase access to help, support and appropriate treatment for substance users.
Data were derived from the 2002 2004 south african stress and health sash study. Rory keane education officer,addiction services, south western area health board sheilagh reaperreynolds senior health promotion officer, health promotion department, south western area. For most of the patients cannabis was their primary drug of abuse, followed by alcohol at 23%. The aim of the study was to explore the influence of social factors on adolescent drug abuse.
To further strengthen the research base underpinning substance abuse policy and practice in south africa, various gaps need to be addressed, including intervention focused demonstration projects and regular audits of treatment services and prevention programmes. The aim of this paper is to make a contribution to the developing south african literature on the subject of substance abuse, with a specific focus on the criminal justice system. Central drug authority cda, made a comprehensive presentation on substance use and abuse in south africa. South africa has one of the highest incidences of domestic violence in the world. South african police services supported by the department of social development, community safety, education and health, lead the struggle to curb and control the supply of substances. Sanca strives to address substance abuse and various addictions through the provision of specialised education, prevention, treatment and aftercare services to all people, thereby enhancing the quality of life and helping to restore their selfrespect and dignity. The limpopo department of social development in partnership with the university of limpopo has conducted a study titled substance use, misuse and abuse amongst the youth in limpopo province. Substance abuse and psychological wellbeing of south. Introducing substance use and abuse in sa brain behaviour and. Drug use among youth and adults in a populationbased. The most recent sacendu report, for the first half of 2015, includes information from 75 rehabilitation centres and 10,936 in and outpatients.
The treatmentrehabilitation of those with a substance abuse problem department of social development and partners south african police services supported by the department of social development, community safety, education and health, lead the. Drug use among youth and adults in a populationbased survey in south africa. We describe patterns of substance use based on recent, nationally representative data. Substance abuse refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs. The substance abuse treatment workforce of south africa. Thus we can see how a spiritual breakdown can be one of the effects of substance abuse. Bobby smyth, consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist specialising in substance abuse, addiction services, south western area health board, for contributing the section on adolescent development and for his comments and support for the handbook maeve shanley, education officer. The treatmentrehabilitation of those with a substance abuse problem depart ment of social development and partners. Why sa is losing the war against alcoholism and drug abuse. The latest peace maker barometer survey, completed on the 9th of november 2014, reveals that alcohol and drugs are perceived to be the leading cause of partner abuse in south africa. A handbook for teachers was researched,compiled and edited by. Differing definitions of drug abuse are used in public health, medical and criminal justice contexts. The researchers interest in the study evolved from her involvement with adolescent drug patients at magaliesoord centre. Exploring substance use among south african adult and young.
When someone is under the influence of alcohol and drugs it is very difficult for that person to make good and sound decisions. The vision is no longer a drug free south africa, but a south africa where people are safe from the harms associated with the use of substances. Substance abuse among male adolescents by irene patience. Transport, trade and industry and the south african police service for their leadership and guidance on alcohol and substance abuse issues.
Approximately 270 991 citizens are problem drug users in 2010 report. However the 2008 figure of 0, 10 million represents a decrease of 20%. His presentation was a summary of a snapshot survey conducted between june 2010 and march 2011 to garner a better understanding of. Substance abuse in south africa arca rehab johannesburg. The department of roads and transport acknowledges that substance abuse such as alcohol and other drugs, is a major problem in the society hence it is crucial to manage this problem in a work situation. Many times, abusers take these substances in a cocktail or mixture resulting in a potentiated myriad of devastating effects. From the editorinchief this special issue of the african journal of drug and alcohol studies is devoted to the theme of substance use and hivaids in africa. He added that south africa continued to be the regional hub for drug trafficking in and out of the country.
Abuse was originally strong among south africas ethnically indian population before it spread to other ethnic groups, including the country s african population. Drug and alcohol abuse in south africa relapse prevention. Though substance abuse, especially injecting drug use, has long been associated with hiv infection in western countries and is today the driving force behind the rapid spread of infections in some low and middle. Meanwhile, from a survey conducted in south africa in 2008 amongst young people of age to 22 years, the rate of cannabis abuse was 12. Substance use and abuse in south africa has arisen out of the thriving brainbehaviour initiative bbi at the university of cape town, which relates neuroscience and. This research aimed at identifying patterns of substance abuse among south african adolescents and exploring the relationship between psychological wellbeing and substance abuse. Illicit drug users in africa make up roughly 17% to 21% of global illicit drug users and the majority of treatment demand in africa is for cannabis abuse 63% unodc, 2010. One in every 14 people are regular users adding up to a total of 3. There are limited data on substance use in south africa. Exploring substance use among south african adult and.
Substance abuse is a global phenomenon, and south africa is not immune to this. South africa country profile on drugs and crime part i. Pdf the substance abuse treatment workforce of south. In order to understand the reasons for adolescent substance abuse behaviour, various theoretical perspectives were utilised and strategies to curb substance use were also identified. Many substance users in south africa are polysubstance users e. This paper focuses specifically on the issue of substance use, abuse and addiction amongst the 201220 services.
Substance abuse is a growing problem in south africa, with just more than % of the population having used a substance during their lifetime. Its also when you use alcohol, prescription medicine, and other legal substances too much or in the wrong way. Labour relations act, employment equity, basic conditions of employment, occupational health and safety, prevention and treatment of drug. Pdf learners substance abuse at school in selected high. And, sadly, domestic violence is the most common and widespread human rights abuse in south africa. Latest drug statistics south africa 2016 south africa. Domestic violence and abuse in south africa family law. The treatmentrehabilitation of those with a substance abuse problem department of social development and partners south african police services supported by the department of social development, community safety, education and health, lead the struggle to curb and control the supply of substances. This special issue of the african journal of drug and alcohol studies is devoted to the theme of substance use and hivaids in africa. Though substance abuse, especially injecting drug use, has long been associated with hiv infection in western countries and. Apr 21, 2016 drug use statistics in south africa as reported by the united nations world drug report of 2014.
Pdf substance abuse and psychological wellbeing of. Prevention of and treatment for substance abuse act 70 of. Substance abuse workplace prevention in south africa. The interdepartmental technical team on combating substance abuse for their involvement, contributions and technical expertise towards the development of the program of action. South africa has no regular representative surveys on substance abuse. Alcohol is the most abused legal substance in south africa, while cannabis is the most common illicit substance used. One of the key impacts of illicit drug use on society is the negative health consequences experienced by its members. Drug abuse remains a growing problem in south africa with 7. Adolescent substance abuse is a major problem facing the world today. The symptoms of substance abuse lie primarily in using drugs or alcohol despite the problems this creates. The study was conducted in the rural areas of zeerust, north west province of south africa. Substance use amongst secondary school students in a rural.
Drug abuse is recognised as one of the greatest social problems in. Prevention and intervention activities targeting drug use, in particular in identified risk groups, need to be strengthened in south africa. Purpose of the snapshot survey the snapshot survey on substance abuse was a need assessment exercise commissioned by the minister of the department of social development, the honourable bathabile dlamini as a presummit exercise of exploring the views of the people of south africa on the scourge of substance abuse. Substance abuse refers to abuse of alcohol, legal and illegal drugs such as cocaine and tranquillisers. Drug abuse is recognised as one of the greatest social problems in south africa. The former minister of social development, dr zola skweyiya, in an address on the 26th of june 2003, highlighted the fact that the. Policy framework for the management of drug abuse by learners in schools and in public further education and training institutions. Historically substance abuse data in south africa have. Drug use statistics in south africa as reported by the united nations world drug report of 2014 drug abuse remains a growing problem in south africa with 7.
It goes without saying that such high rates of unemployment make south africa highly vulnerable to drug trafficking and drug abuse. But the lack of comprehensive data to understand the changing trends of substance use and the lack of treatment facilities leaves much to be. Abstract south africa has a high rate of substance abuse among youths both in and out of school with east london in the eastern cape province experiencing an increase in young people ages 20 years. Among the nine south african provinces, any past 3month drug use was the highest in the western cape 7. Substancerelated disorders prevention and control 3. Substance abuse is when you take drugs that are not legal. Every day, women are murdered, physically and sexually assaulted, threatened and. Unfortunately data are not yet broken down by the age of the offender. Alcohol is the primary substance of patients admitted in treatment centres in kwazulu natal, eastern cape, free state, north west, and northern cape cannabis is the most common substance abused by. Alcohol and drugs are the main causes of partner abuse in sa. The researchers interest in the study evolved from her involvement with adolescent drug. Current trends of substances of abuse data from the treatment centres surveyed indicates trends as follows. And substance use a handbook for teachers understanding substances and substance use.
Dec, 2018 substance use and abuse in south africa has arisen out of the thriving brainbehaviour initiative bbi at the university of cape town, which relates neuroscience and behavioural science to social. Journalists%20briefing%20booklet%20on%20alchol%20adevertising. Substance abuse and psychological wellbeing of south african adolescents article pdf available in south african journal of psychology 373. Prevention of and treatment for substance abuse act south. Substance abuse, also known as drug abuse, is use of a drug in amounts or by methods which are harmful to the individual or others. Worldwide and in south africa, the abuse of drugs has become one of the most challenging social issues.
Investigating the implementation of the kemoja substance. General substance abuse booklet western cape government. Prevention of and treatment for substance abuse act, 2008. Substance abuse and psychological wellbeing of south african adolescents maretha visser department of psychology, university of pretoria, brooklyn, 0002, south africa maretha. Introducing substance use and abuse in sa brain behaviour.