Social Development to conduct anti-substance abuse awareness campaign at Middelburg TVET College and Sol Plaatje University
The scourge of substance abuse, especially, alcohol and other designer drugs have long-term negative effects in society as they lead to multiple social ills including crime, rape, gender-based violence and teenage pregnancy.
According to the 2019 – 2024 National Drug Master Plan (NDMP), 58 percent of deaths on South African roads can be attributed to alcohol consumption. It also reveals that Nyaope / woonga (heroin and cannabis mix) and methamphetamine (tik) usage is gaining popularity among adolescents, with far-reaching effects on users, families, and communities. The NDMP is a policy document which guides the Department of Social Development to work in collaboration with the Civil Society Organisations and communities to reduce the demand for and supply of drugs in the country.
Waging war against substance abuse is not government’s role alone and it is for this reason that the Department works in collaboration with relevant stakeholders including community structures such as Faith Based Organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations, Community Policing Forum as well as Institutions of Higher Learning.
To address the high prevalence of substance abuse and to prevent young people from alcohol and drugs, the Department of Social Development, will from Tuesday, 14 until Thursday, 16 February, conduct an anti-alcohol and substance abuse campaign at the Middleburg Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College and Sol Platjie University in Mpumalanga and Northern Cape provinces, respectively.
Under the theme: “Protecting students against crime, substance abuse and gender-based violence” the campaign seeks to raise awareness among students who can sometimes diverge from their studies as a result of access to alcohol and drugs. It also serves as an opportunity for the department to educate, create awareness and disseminate anti-alcohol and substance abuse as well as gender-based violence information to students in institutions of higher learning.
The abuse of alcohol and drugs is one of the contributing factors to the high prevalence of Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), which has been declared as the second pandemic in the country. Similar to the GBVF, substance abuse has a negative impact on the lives and well-being of many South Africans, especially, vulnerable women, children and persons with disabilities who are continuously victims of domestic violence and abuse.
As part of building a caring society for all South Africans, the Department of Social Development is the custodian of the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act, No 70 of 2008, which mandates the department to develop programmes and support initiatives aimed at the prevention and treatment of substance abuse. The Act exists to prevent usage, treatment of substance use disorders, as well as the reduction, production, and distribution of illicit drugs in South Africa.
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the anti-alcohol and substance abuse awareness campaign planned as follows:
MIDDELBURG TVET COLLEGE IN MPUMALANGA PROVINCE
Date: Tuesday and Wednesday, 14 - 15 February 2023
Time: 10h00
Venue: Corner Wanderers and Coetzee Streets, Old Middelburg Primary School Building, Middleburg TVET College, Mpumalanga Province
SOL PLAATJIE UNIVERSITY IN KIMBERLEY, NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE
Date: Wednesday and Thursday, 15 - 16 February 2023
Time: 10h00
Venue: 10 Jan Smuts Blvd, Civic Centre, Sol Plaatjie University, Northern Cape Province
Media can RSVP by contacting Mr Evans Molimi on 0728137724 / EvansMo@dsd.gov.za or Mr Rakopa Ramabale on 0664807139 / RakopaR@dsd.gov.za
Media enquiries may be forwarded to:
Ms Lumka Oliphant
Cell: 083 484 8067
E-mail: lumkao@dsd.gov.za
