The Department of Trade and Industry’s (the dti) National Liquor Authority will join forces with the South African Police Services (SAPS), Provincial Liquor Boards and the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) in a national campaign to raise awareness about the adverse effects of alcohol abuse on South African communities. The theme of the campaign is “Stand Tall, Drink Responsibly, Don’t Abuse Alcohol”.
The campaign begins in Kimberley in the Northern Cape on Monday, 6 December 2010 and ends in Lenyenye, Limpopo on 22 December 2010. It will be in the form of visits to public areas where officials from the three institutions will interact with members of the public, series of radio interviews, as well inspection blitz to ensure that there is compliance on the part of liquor distributors and retailers.
The NYDA will focus on the youth, presenting them with alternatives for recreation rather than the irresponsible consumption of liquor. The campaign will also raise awareness about the National Liquor Act, No. 59 of 2003 as compliance with liquor legislation is the basis for ensuring a responsible, sustainable liquor trade, and contributes to reducing socio-economic and other costs associated with alcohol abuse.
“The festive season is the time when most members of the public, particularly young people consume alcohol excessively and irresponsibly, under the pretext of having fun and celebrating. Unfortunately, this is the time of the year in which many people will die as a result of road accidents and various forms of violence, and alcohol abuse will be the common denominator in these incidents. We believe that the national campaign will go a long way in contributing to the decrease of alcohol abuse in the country and two result in people enjoying their festive season together with their families without any casualties,” said Trade and Industry Minister, Dr Rob Davies.
Research has shown that alcohol is associated with prevalent incidents of HIV infections as well as behaviours that lead to unprotected sex, commercial sex and multiple partnering. Minister Davies added that research highlights the particular burden experienced by South Africa from alcohol abuse.
These include that:
- Drunk driving is one of the biggest threats to Road Safety in South Africa. Research indicates that 50% of people who die on the roads have a blood alcohol concentration above 0.05 gram per 100 millilitres.
- Children who consume alcohol are more likely to report academic problems, substance use, and delinquent behaviour in both middle school and high school. For example, the odds of repeating a grade at school were found to be 60% higher for learners who consumed alcohol.
- Teenagers under the age of 19 who have consumed alcohol are twice as likely to have sex as those who have not. Nearly 4 in 10 sexually active teenagers who use alcohol have had sexual intercourse with four or more individuals.
- Between one-third to a half of arrestees charged with offences categorised as “family violence” were reported being under the influence of alcohol at the time of the alleged offence.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 073 522 6801
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Source: Department of Trade and Industry
