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The African National Congress Youth League re-affirms its position on the
complete illegalisation of alcohol advertisements in all media channels,
including Television, Radio, Newspapers, Magazines and Billboards. The call
for the banning of alcohol advertisements is linked to the Youth League's
broader campaign to reduce the consumption and abuse of alcohol, drugs and
substances in our communities. We will soon be meeting with the Advertising
Standards Authority of South Africa

The abuse of intoxicating substances and alcohol in particular does not only
negatively impact the wellbeing of the individuals consuming them, but
distorts society and leads to other grave social ills such as crime, rapid
spread of HIV/AIDS, poor health, low success rates in education, etc.

The ANC 52nd National Conference political report quoted a government
scientific survey which read:

"Accordingly, in the past five years the areas with the greatest number of
violent crimes were identified as those that are poor and economically
depressed. These areas, which account for more than 50% of violent crime in
South Africa comprise only 169 police station-areas out of 1 136 police
station-areas in the country. The socio-economic profile of these areas is
similar. There are few recreational facilities. Unemployment is high. There
are many dysfunctional families. There are many shebeens and other alcohol
outlets and the levels of substance abuse are very high".

Further than that, the Medical Research Council's Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Research Council scientifically say that the effects of alcohol dependence
include the following:

· Alcohol misuse is causally implicated in a range of chronic health
problems (e.g. cirrhosis of the liver). However, many of the primary effects
of alcohol misuse occur from episodes of acute alcohol intoxication.

· Acute alcohol intoxication is associated with increased mortality
and morbidity arising from intentional and non-intentional injuries.

· Acute alcohol intoxication is also associated with unsafe sexual
practices and increased risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease.

· Alcohol misuse, combined with poor nutritional status, increases
susceptibility to opportunistic diseases by compromising the immune system.

· The misuse of alcohol during pregnancy has been linked to fetal
alcohol syndrome in infants.

· Alcohol misuse also impacts on the criminal justice system, with
evidence of associations between drinking at risky levels, committing crime,
or being a victim of crime.

Against these realities, South Africa cannot continue to celebrate alcohol
and normalise it as part of our society. Coupled with the illegalisation of
alcohol advertisement, the ANC YL will advocate for the following as
decisive interventions to stop the free flow of alcohol in our communities:

- Call for increased levels of law enforcement on illegal alcohol and
drugs traders, including those who sell alcohol to people under the age
of
18.
- Call for greater investment in sporting, arts and recreational
activities and facilities in communities and set a programme to attract
more
young people to partake in these activities.
- Form partnerships with relevant government departments in the
intensification of the campaign against alcohol, drugs and substance
abuse.
- Call for establishment of youth-friendly rehabilitation centres and
programmes in communities to revive youth that are addicted to drugs and
alcohol.
- Campaign for a legislative intervention on the number of years young
people are eligible to buy alcohol, with a focus of increasing the number
of
years from 18 to 21.
- Call for immediate legislation on the illegalisation of Liquor Outlets
closer to schools and institutions of higher learning.

The ANC Youth League will stop at nothing in ensuring that alcohol
consumption in South Africa is radically reduced and all alcohol regulations
and laws are properly enforced by our law enforcement agencies. We need a
broader coalition of all stakeholders, including Unions, Civil Society
formations, Non-governmental organisations, Community based organisations,
Churches, Social Clubs and private individuals to join the campaign against
alcohol, drugs and substances.

The ANC YOUTH LEAGUE CALLS ON THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN BEING PARTNERS TO
THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST ALCOHOL, DRUGS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE TO CONTACT THE ANC
YOUTH HEAD OFFICE. Those interested in should contact Ontiretsi Pilane on
0796954396 and opilane@anc.org.za.