Tshabalala-Msimang by her Special Advisor, Prof Rodney Green-Thompson, at the
launch of the International Commission on Prevention of Alcoholism (ICPA) South
Africa Chapter in Pretoria
27 June 2007
Minister Programme Director,
President of the International Commission on Prevention of Alcoholism-South
African, Advocate Boyce Mkhize,
Members of ICPA both international and national,
Church leaders,
All protocol observed,
Ladies and gentlemen;
I am humbled to be invited to the launch of this important institution.
It is indeed an honour for me to experience the coming of age of our joint
efforts between us as government and the civic organisations such as the Faith
Based Organisations (FBOs) in collaboratively tackling some of the issues
facing our communities today, in particular our youth.
As you all know the month of June has been declared youth month in
recognition of their role in changing the political landscape of this country.
Again, two weeks ago this year we marked the 30th anniversary of the 16 June
student uprising when the youth of this country took to the streets to declare
to the world their opposition to the evil system of apartheid. That day has
reshaped the history of this country than any other. We salute the youth of
1976!
But this is not to underestimate the role played jointly by other
stakeholders in annihilating apartheid rule such as the civic society, women
and the church to name a few. Just as we did during those dark days we can
still, through our collective efforts, overcome some of the social challenges
facing our communities and our youth.
Programme Director, today's event should serve as a confirmation of our
erstwhile belief that health is a social issue best addressed through an
integrated approach.
It was this very philosophy that has inspired the approach in the shaping
and development of the National Health Act of 2003. Among other things, the Act
prescribes a need for transparency and ongoing consultation with relevant
stakeholders such that it lends legitimacy to our transformation mandate.
Programme Director, the role played by the church as a catalyst in bringing
about a new political and social change in this country is well documented.
This social activism by church leaders remains even more critical today as our
society is grappling with equally challenging, albeit different, social
hazards. These challenges including alcohol, tobacco and drug use, unhealthy
diet and unsafe sex practices have an adverse effect on the health of our
people and thus increase the burden of diseases in the country. These risks
exacerbate the burden caused by poverty and the resurgence of infections and
communicable diseases.
I must acknowledge that through intervention measures such as healthy
lifestyle campaign, government has made significant progress towards the
prevention of substance abuse and lifestyle diseases responsible for lifestyle
diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, cancer and sexually
transmitted infections such as HIV and AIDS. But I must also hasten to add that
a lot still needs to be done.
Yesterday at the Youth Indaba in Nelspruit, I highlighted the importance of
the integration and collaboration of efforts by the various government
departments, relevant non-governmental organisations (NGOs) dealing with young
people, business, churches and the community at large.
I pointed out that no single department or NGO could adequately address all
issues facing the youth. That is precisely why we gathered here today to
applaud another milestone in our joint fight against unhealthy lifestyle and
behaviour and moral degeneration, namely the launch of an institution such as
the ICPA. Not only will ICPA add a voice, but I am convinced you will add value
in what we do.
Alcohol and drug abuse are implicated in a range of social and economic
problems. Researchers report an increase in drug trafficking and use in this
country. In the surveillance on the nature and extent of substance abuse, the
Medical Research Council (MRC) has found that there is an increase demand for
treatment for illicit drugs in substance abuse treatment centres countrywide.
What is also of concern is the reported increase in the proportion of younger
patients coming for treatment.
The South African National Youth Risk Behaviour Survey (2002) also
corroborates this worrying trend. Nationally almost one out of eight learners
has had their first drink before the age of 13 years. 31,8 percent of learners
had drunk alcohol on one or more days in the month preceding the interviews.
One in five learners had smoked cigarette on one or more days in the preceding
month.
This study also highlights a high prevalence of abuse of illicit substances
such as dagga, mandrax, heroine and club drugs among the youth. Alcohol use or
misuse is also implicated in road traffic related deaths and antisocial
behaviour including homicides. Almost half of transport related deaths
including pedestrians have an above the legal limit for blood alcohol
content.
There is also a significant association between alcohol use with domestic
and interpersonal violence's as well as crime in general. It is estimated that
up to 30 percent of the general hospital admissions in this country are
directly or indirectly related to alcohol use.
Furthermore, studies associate alcohol misuse with chronic health problems
among our communities. In some parts of the country, it has been found that one
in 10 children at school going age that have mental retardation, neurological
and development problems were as a result of alcohol use during pregnancy.
Yesterday, as part of government's youth month activities, I was privileged
to visit one of the juvenile detention facilities in Nelspruit where I was
confronted by the sad realities of the effects of poverty and substance abuse
on our youth. This vindicates our call that the time has come for the
strengthening and galvanising of our efforts and resources towards the common
goal of protecting saving our youth.
But these challenges should make us work even harder. I am proud to announce
that South Africa is supporting the World Health Assembly (WHO) commitment
towards developing a strategy to combat alcohol abuse. We are also in the
process of amending our tobacco legislation, firstly to ensure that we close
the existing loopholes exploited by the industry and secondly to keep our laws
in line with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
Other works by the Department include partnership ventures with stakeholders
in government and the private sector. Recently we developed in partnership with
the Department of Education, a programme on skills training and retraining of
educators around the prevention and management of substance abuse among
learners.
Alcohol and tobacco control form the cornerstone of our Healthy Lifestyle
Campaign in addition to physical activity and nutrition. We appreciate the
support we have been receiving from FBOs in strengthening the government's ABC
prevention strategy. I wish to take this opportunity to urge church leaders to
continue to preach the church's adopted abstinence message to our youth
throughout the country.
The messages on health lifestyle should be reverberated in every corner of
this country. Healthy life styles should be promoted as a norm in our society.
Health is a social issue as it affects us all.
Programme Director, as we commemorate the 30th anniversary of that fateful
day on 16 June 1976, let us take time to reflect as communities on ways and
means to contribute towards the new struggle we should be waging with our
youth. The struggle to fight for freedom against alcohol and drugs. Youth
programmes within the church should identify ways in which physical activity,
youth confidence, recreation, life skills and skill development could be
integrated.
Our failure to win this new struggle shall be an indictment on us all;
government, NGOs, churches and the civil society. We shall have failed the very
segment of our society we are supposed to protect, guide and nurture most. Just
as the church has been a beacon of light to our youth during the darkest of
days of 1976, we once again beckon to you to assist in providing leadership and
guidance during this course.
Once again we urge you to assist us to reinforce the messages on healthy
lifestyles as part of the work you do.
I thank you!
Issued by: Department of Health
27 June 2006
Source: Department of Health (http://www.doh.gov.za/)
