Programme Director
MEC for Social Development, Mr Kgaogelo Lekgoro
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Representative, Dr Jonathan Lucas
Leadership of the Youth formations in the province
Leadership of the Religious Sector and Civil Society
Parents and young people of Orange Farm
Ladies and gentlemen

Introduction

We are gathered here today to commemorate the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. This is indeed an important day in the calendar of the United Nations Member States and our country in particular. This day highlights the fact that drug abuse and drug trafficking has indeed become one of the biggest challenges amid poverty, HIV and AIDS and underdevelopment.

In 1987 the United Nation (UN) decided to give focus to the phenomenon of drug abuse and drug trafficking and called for a concerted global effort to combat the proliferation of drugs which has become a global trade. The poignant question we need to ask ourselves as responsible citizens of this country, as parents and as community leaders is: What have we done to raise awareness and report drugs-related crimes that happen in our neighbourhoods? If we see this things happening in our communities and still choose to remain silent, we are perpetuating the problem.

The nature of the problem

South Africa, like the rest of other countries in the world, is confronted with the increasing phenomenon of substance abuse and drug trafficking. Just last week drugs worth seven comma three million rand were seized at OR Tambo International Airport. The media also reported of the shocking story of a woman who allegedly abducted a baby and used him to solicit money to feed her drug addiction. We strongly condemn such abhorrent actions as they have no place in our society.

Although accurate and current statistical data on the use and abuse of illicit drugs in South Africa are difficult to obtain, the statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and local research findings are highly disturbing.

Dagga and alcohol are still the most substances of abuse in South Africa. Estimates are that two comma two million people use dagga or cannabis. In the second category is cocaine, heroin, speed, LSD, hashish, ecstasy and tik (commonly called nyaope in township language).

The costs and implications for government and society

According to the World Drug Report of 2006, the approximate number of problem drug users in South Africa is more than 200 000. Close to nine thousand problem drug users were treated at 73 treatment centres from June to December 2006. Considerable abuse of over-the-counter and prescription medicines is also reported. These include pain relievers, tranquilisers, cough mixtures and slimming tablets, as well as solvents such as glue.

Global statistics show that South Africans are much more likely than any other country's citizens to cause injury or death to ourselves and to others-often friends or family-when intoxicated. The consequences of alcohol abuse are everywhere: from women in the Western Cape who drink so much during pregnancy that their children are born mentally disabled, to young people who smoke dagga behind the school walls.

In a World Health Organisation study last year on the relationship between alcohol and injuries conducted among people admitted to emergency rooms of 12 medical centres in 12 countries, South Africa had the highest number of injury cases where alcohol was consumed in the six hours before admittance.

The social cost of illicit drug use has not been officially calculated, but up to 12 million family members of drug users face emotional and financial strain. In addition, drug usage has a negative effect on transport safety. A third of heavy duty long distance drivers admit to using drugs to relax and to stay awake. The main drugs used in this instance are alcohol and dagga.

Meanwhile, a conservative estimate of the economic costs to South Africa of alcohol abuse, based on research studies conducted in other countries, is between eight comma seven billion rand and seventeen comma four billion rand per year. The social costs are also enormous. About 11 million family members have to endure the turmoil of living with problem or risky drinkers. Risky drinking affects 17, 5 million South Africans.

It is estimated that alcohol abuse is a factor in nearly half of fatal road crashes in South Africa. This results in a cost to the country of around seven thousand lives annually. The National Institute of Crime Prevention and Reintegration of Offenders (NICRO) has reported that alcohol contributes substantially to the high incidence of crime in the country. Their study found that just under half of all male prisoners had consumed alcohol or drugs at the time of, or before committing, their most recent crime.

The Medical Research Council (MRC) has found that alcohol has a negative effect on the business community due to absenteeism, poor productivity, high job turnover, interpersonal conflicts, injuries and damage to property. One study found that 20 percent of gold mine workers involved in occupational injuries had high concentrations of alcohol in their blood streams.

The Council's National Trauma Research Programme has estimated that alcohol related costs associated with pedestrian trauma alone are in excess of 83 million dollars per year. The transport ministry has estimated that motor vehicle collisions cost the country at least one comma five billion dollars per year and that at least 50 percent of these vehicle accidents are alcohol related. The economic costs associated with alcohol abuse in the work place are likely to be in excess of one comma seven billion dollars (two percent of the gross national product) per year.

Youth and substance abuse

More alarming is the fact that the increase in easy access to drugs and substance abuse is dramatically increasing especially among young people in South Africa. In the Northern Cape, 36 percent of patients admitted to rehabilitation and treatment centres for substance abuse were aged between 10 and 19 years old. Young men and women under the age of 18 years continue to frequent shebeens and taverns as if this is the most normal thing to do. Young people are used by the drug lords and crime syndicates as drug traffickers.

It is well known that substance abuse increase the probability of engaging in high risk sexual behaviours, placing the user at risk for both unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. Substance use during adolescence has also been associated with involvement in crime and gang-related activities.

I believe that something has to be done as a matter of national priority to restore the social fabric of our nation before it is too late to correct the situation from deteriorating further. The youth need to be empowered to take control of their lives and not let drugs control them.

The national response

Programme Director, the successful combating of the drug problem requires the application of three elements harmoniously, in an integrated and balanced manner. These are: supply reduction through law enforcement, demand reduction through prevention strategies amongst others and harm reduction through treatment and social support. These elements are the cornerstone of the National Drug Master Plan 2006 to 2011, which acknowledges the significant contribution of various departments and agencies in combating drug abuse and trafficking.

All government departments form an integral part of the action against drugs, within the Central Drug Authority (CDA) and as part of their respective mandates. This approach allows for the involvement of all stakeholders from grassroots and community level to the national level. Provinces and national departments are guided by the plan to formulate mini-Drug Master Plans to implement prevention, early intervention and treatment services.

Provincial Substance Abuse Forums have been established, as well as Local Drug Action Committees, which consist of social workers, teachers, justice and police officials and community representatives. I encourage you to participate in these forums. While our campaign to combat substance abuse targets all age groups, we prioritise children and the youth, given the fact that the age of experimentation with drugs has dropped to about 10 years. Let me take this opportunity to congratulate the law enforcement agencies for the splendid work of intercepting drug trafficking in major points of entry into the country.

Ladies and gentlemen, just two days ago we presented the Prevention of and Treatment Substance Abuse Bill to the National Assembly with the view to repel the Prevention and Treatment of Drug Dependency Act No 20 of 1992. The Act has become outdated and is not responsive to current challenges and focuses primarily on institutional treatment and provides very little provision for prevention services.

Prevention

The main aim of the Bill is the combating of substance abuse through prevention, early intervention, treatment and re-integration programmes. As indicated, the Bill makes provision for the establishment of programmes for prevention of substance abuse. The emphasis on prevention is informed by the fact that children are exposed to drugs at a young age. Particular attention is given to interventions that target young people to equip them with necessary skills to resist the urge to experiment with drugs. Such one programme is the Ke moja- I'm fine without drugs campaign which aims to build the resilience of young people against drugs by actively engaging them in cultural and sporting activities. We run the programme in partnership with the United Nations Office for Crime and Drug Control, provinces, religious sector and civil society.

Community based services

The Bill emphasises the role of the community and community based organisations as a crucial link in the prevention of substance abuse and provision of substance abuse-related services. The challenge is to ensure that drug related services are provided in all areas and communities are mobilised to act against this scourge. Especially the remote areas are often under served with little or no infrastructure.

The Bill places more emphasis on community based interventions to ensure that communities take charge of the problem in an effective manner. This move represents a significant shift from the traditional approach to treatment in that it recognises the vital role that the family, friends and the community in general can play in substance abuse interventions. We need to develop community-based intervention models to improve access to treatment and services not only for the vulnerable person but for those affected by the addiction of drugs and alcohol.

Partnerships

Government is fully aware that the fight against drugs and drugs-related crimes cannot be won by the police or government alone. By involving our communities and young people in projects such as the Ke moja campaign and the implementation of the National Youth Service Programme, we acknowledge the vital role that youth play in society.

As the president said during the commemoration of Youth Day: 'Organs of civil society, community-based organisations, youth formations, churches and women's movements, trade union movements and political structures in the communities must be mobilised to speak in one voice around the issue of mending the social fabric and ubuntu'. Our partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is an indication that together we can build a caring society. For this reason, we will continue working closely with UNODC and other stakeholders to build a drug free South Africa.

Today also mark the birth of a significant partnership with the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG). The partnership has culminated in the launch of a toll-fee substance abuse helpline. This line offers support, guidance and help for people addicted to drugs and alcohol as well as their families, no matter where in South Africa they are. If you need assistance with drugs-related problems, please call this number: 0800 12 13 14, or SMS 32312 - to get professional assistance, support and appropriate treatment.

I would like to emphasise that every citizen, young and old, has a role to play in the fight against drugs. The promotion of the perception, for example, that the use of dagga is not harmful, or that excessive or binge drinking is acceptable behaviour over weekends and at social gatherings undermines our efforts of combating this scourge.

Young people, I urge you all to treat substance and drug abuse as serious matters. We must report known drug dealers to the police. Children and others who abuse substances must be helped to stop the habit and to return their lives to normality. Most importantly, families must confront the problem of denial which perpetuates the scourge. Prevention and early intervention is delayed when we refuse to accept when one of our own could be using or abusing drugs.

The new law provides hope as it will substantially improve the manner in which the country responds to drug and substance abuse. We remain optimistic that with co-operation from all communities and sectors, we can begin to stem the tide of substance abuse. Like the youth of 1976, let us use our collective power to build a South Africa that is drug free.

Thank you.

Issued by: Department of Social Development
26 June 2008