Pretoria - Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini will on Thursday lead the commemoration of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking by holding an awareness campaign against the use of tik in Eersterust, in Pretoria.
During community dialogues conducted recently between the department’s social workers and the residents of Eersterust it was revealed that tik is among the illicit substances used extensively by community members.
According to residents, nyaope - a mixture of crystal meth, heroin and marijuana - is also a popular drug in the area.
Minister Dlamini will use the campaign to highlight the dangers of drug abuse in the country and raise awareness of government services available to those affected by drugs.
This year’s International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is commemorated under the theme “Let’s Develop our Lives, Communities, our Identities without Drugs”.
The commemoration will also highlight the dangers of alcohol abuse.
The 2014 World Drug Report published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, states that South Africa is believed to be a major consumer drug market.
The report also states that the estimated prevalence of cocaine use in South Africa rose from 0.78% of the general population in the 15-64 age bracket in 2008 to 1.02% in 2011, confirming the continued existence of a sizeable and apparently expanding consumer market for cocaine.
South Africa is also said to be a major exporter in Africa of drug precursors or chemicals used in illicit manufacture of drugs such as cocaine, heroin, ecstasy or methamphetamines.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), individual South Africans (15 years and older) consumed an average of 8.2 litres of pure alcohol per annum, well above the African continental average of 6.0 litres.
According to the University of Cape Town, in South Africa one of the most common causes of cirrhosis or liver disease is chronic and excessive alcohol consumption. It is the fifth leading cause of death and kills approximately 25 000 people a year, whilst there are at least 500 000 South African's suffering from foetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
Estimates made of the combined tangible and intangible costs of harmful use of alcohol to the South African economy reached nearly R300 billion or 10–12% of the 2009 gross domestic product.
Inter-Ministerial Committee
Government has appointed an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Combating Alcohol and Substance Abuse. The committee coordinates government’s collective national efforts from prevention, community mobilisation, treatment and law enforcement amongst others.
The National Drug Master Plan (2013-2017), which is driven by the Central Drug Authority (CDA), is also being fully implemented.
The National Drug Master Plan offers a roadmap on how the country can move forward together to coordinate and strengthen the work of government in the fight against the scourge of alcohol and substance abuse. – SAnews.gov.za
