Minister of Social Development, Ms Bathabile Dlamini, will tomorrow launch government’s Anti-Alcohol and Substance Abuse Campaign in Cape Town, Western Cape.
The Campaign will be unveiled under the theme: “Towards an Alcohol and Drug Abuse Free South Africa - Take a Stand.”
The launch will take place as follows:
Date: Wednesday, 14 December 2011
Venue: OR Tambo Indoor Sports Complex, Neway Road, Site B, Khayelitsha
Time: 10am
This launch follows the approval of a five-year programme of action on anti-alcohol and substance abuse by Cabinet in September this year.
The aims of the programme of action are as follows:
- To develop policy, review and align liquor legislation
- To educate and create awareness on substance abuse
- To promote equal access to resources across South Africa
- To respond to policies and legislation with regards to drugs and organised crime,
- To review institutional mechanisms to prevent and manage alcohol and drug use in the country.
Through the campaign, government seeks to mobilise communities throughout the country about the dangers of alcohol and substance abuse. As part of these efforts, Minister Dlamini will also mobilise different sectors of society, including business and civil society, to participate in the implementation of the programme of action.
As we celebrate the festive season, the Minister will urge all South Africans to be activists for an alcohol and drug free society.
“We would like to remind all citizens that we all have a responsibility to create a drug free society. It is possible to have fun without alcohol. We call on parents to be good role-models to children and never to expose their children to alcohol and substance abuse. Members of the public must not drink and drive, we also say NO to drinking and walking,” said Ms Dlamini.
Ms Dlamini will also call on liquor outlets to comply with the laws governing their operation.
Alcohol and Substance abuse as well as illicit drug trafficking are a global phenomenon. In our case, it has serious implications on the lives of South Africans because it contributes to crime, gangsterism, domestic violence, family dysfunction and other social problems.
In Cape Town crystal methamphetamine, known locally as “tik”, remains dominant, and the proportion of patients admitted as a result of its abuse increased again in the first half of 2009.
Studies, particularly among rural populations and those associated with wine farms in the Western Cape, have demonstrated that more than 50 per 1 000 of school-entry children have Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorders (FASD). The situation is extreme in two populations in the Northern Cape Province (De Aar and Upington), where the FASD prevalence rates exceed 100 per 1000 and 70 per 1000, respectively.
Confirm attendance with Thapelo Sakoana on 082 420 7736
Enquiries:
Lumka Oliphant
Cell: 083 484 8067
