It is reckoned that we consume in excess of 5 billion litres of alcohol annually. Drug abuse among students in public secondary schools in kenya, the case of vihiga county 754 secondary education is critical because it lays ground for further training in various fields ongwae, j. Past 3month drug use was assessed with the alcohol, smoking and substance use involvement screening test assist. Prevention and intervention activities targeting drug use, in particular in identified risk groups, need to be strengthened in south africa. Monitoring alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse treatment admissions in south africa, april 2019, phase 44. Substance abuse in south africa has reached epidemic proportions. Drug abuse is responsible for lost wages, destruction of property in schools, soaring health care costs and broken families. Data based on the south african national populationbased survey in 2012 for 26 453 individuals 52.
Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 4 th ed. Rural secondary school learners in south africa have a low prevalence rate of substance abuse. South african legislation expressly stipulates that schools need to. Alcohol and south africas youth seggie south african. Youth drug addiction surge in south africa africanews. Substance use by students in south africa, tanzania and zimbabwe. A draft set of guidelines on how to implement the policy is under development by the department of education. They are also designed for those working on the ground in the field of drug abuse prevention.
This study sought to establish the current trend of drug abuse among students in kenyan secondary schools. African journal of drug and alcohol studies, 2001, 12. Responding to these risks before they become problems can be difficult. Bronwyn meyers, chief specialist scientist in the alcohol and drug abuse unit of the south african medical research council mrc, says 11% of the south african population about 5. Drug abuse is recognised as one of the greatest social problems in. In a paper entitled drug use, abuse and alcoholism in zimbabwe published in october 2002, it was argued that alcoholism is one of zimbabwes four top diseases. Policy framework for the management of drug abuse by learners in schools and in public further education and training institutions. Drug abuse in south africa is said to be taking a heavy toll on communities in the country, according to the south africas central drug authority cad where drugs fuel a life of addiction and. Alcohol and drug problem overview the abuse of alcohol and other drugsincluding prescription drugsis common and costly. Drug testing guide d6 department of basic education. The national drug master plan instructs the central drug authority cda. Promising strategies to reduce substance abuse is an assessment of the most effective strategies used nationwide to reduce illicit drug and alcohol abuse and related crime. The snapshot survey on substance abuse was a need assessment exercise commissioned by the minister of the. Drugs and alcohol guidelines for schools in december 2002, the south african government promulgated its policy framework for the management of drug abuse by learners in schools and in public further education and training institutions.
The department of basic education takes school safety very seriously and as an apex priority the department has put in place various policies and measures to ensure the safety of all learners, educators and relevant stakeholders in schools. Drug and alcohol abuse in south africa has greatly increased and has a lot of effect that it causes. Drug abuse among students results into general indiscipline in institutions of learning koech, j. Drug abuse often occurs alongside other conditions like mental illness. Hence, there is a need for a counselling program in each school to provide support and refer such learners to an appropriate institution for rehabilitation. In south africa, substance abuse is extremely serious, with drug usage reported as being at twice the world norm.
Most of the families have faced family separation as a result of excessive use of drugs and alcohol. It started to become a general problem for south african society as of the late 1980s. Common reports of bullying and playground tiffs are rapidly being replaced by incidents of drug abuse, drug dealing, stabbings, sexual assault and, to a large extent, gangrelated activities, with up to 30% of educators. Drug abuse is recognised as one of the greatest social problems in south africa.
The limpopo department of social development in partnership with the university of limpopo has conducted a study titled substance use, misuse and abuse amongst the youth in limpopo province. Frequent abuse of alcohol and other drugs can lead to addiction, a disease that affects the brain and behavior. South african community epidemiology network on drug use. Pdf the nature, causes and effects of school violence in. A number of schools in the sarah baartman district in the eastern cape are fighting substance abuse. Drug use among youth and adults in a populationbased survey in south africa. Introduction 3 introduction this guide has been updated from the second edition in 2000 to ensure that the information reflects. Pdf learners substance abuse at school in selected high. Guidelines for schools in december 2002, the south african government promulgated its policy framework for the management of drug abuse by learners in schools and in public further education and training institutions. Drug use among youth and adults in a populationbased.
A study of the causes and effects of drug and substance. One of the causes of drug abuse may be the attempt to manage the symptoms of an underlying mental illness. Given that middleincome countries such as south africa are at increasing risk for drug use and abuse, hard data to accurately monitor drug abuse in south africa is required. One in every 14 people are regular users adding up to a total of 3. Prevention of and treatment for substance abuse act.
However, the use of random drug testing on students as a component of drug prevention programs requires additional. Substance abuse is one of the serious social problems and a concern globally. Pdf drug abuse is the willful misuse of either licit or illicit drugs for the purpose of recreation, perceived necessity or convenience. Alcohol and drug concerns elim clinic tembisa office. In south africa alcohol and drug abuse was signaled by former president nelson mandela in his opening address to parliament in 1994 as a.
Substance abuse amongst high school learners in rural. Youth and drug abuse way report governments responses the coalition governments main approach to tackling drug use and its associated problems are detailed in the drug strategy 2010 reducing demand, restricting supply, building recovery. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. Educators experiences on the prevalence of drugs and intervention. Sa drug abuse trends paint a grim picture besides drug use often being on the rise year on year, even more alarming is the destruction this worldwide issue causes in the broader society, negatively impacting on the mental and physical wellbeing of a large section of the population.
Epidemiology of alcohol and drug use in south africa. Cannabis is the primary drug of abuse by people younger than 20. South african national council on alcoholism and drug dependence sanca nongoma alcohol and drug help centre what does sanca nongoma do. The aim of the study was to explore the influence of social factors on adolescent drug abuse. Poor performance is the greatest effect of drug abuse among drug taking students. It can cause or worsen many medical problems and if left untreated can destroy families and lives. While mental illness itself is not thought to cause drug abuse, one condition may indicate, and be complicated by, the other. N30 of learners who abuse substances in high schools at. South african national department of basic education. School violence is rife in south africa, with the national school violence. The report is intended to serve as a guide to communities by identifying the core elements of promising strategies and illustrating these strategies with examples. A prevention approach according to the health promotion priorities of dbe, schools should have clear policies on the prevention and management of alcohol and drug abuse, and establish links. Monitoring alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse treatment admissions in south africa, october 2018, phase 43.
Substance abuse, prevention, schoolbased, grounded theory, development, implementation sustainability. Pdf this study has sought to examine the extent of substance abuse at schools in the buffalo flats area of east london, south africa, with. Substance use amongst secondary school students in a rural setting. Disturbingly high levels of illicit drug use remain a problem among american teenagers. Adolescent and drug abuse in tertiary institution implication for counselling dr. A purposive sample of five principals, 80 learners and 20 educators was selected from. Over 15% of the population suffers from a drug problem. Abuse was originally strong among south africas ethnically indian population before it spread to other ethnic groups, including the country s african population. As the physical, social, and psychological home away from home for most youth, schools naturally assume a primary role in substance abuse education, prevention, and early identification. The role of schools in combating illicit substance abuse. South africa has made a promise to put the welfare of its learners at the centre of all school activities.
South africa is battling not only the scourge of certain uniquely south african illicit street drugs, such as nyaope, but also the increasing abuse. Developing a programme for prevention and intervention by. The major cause for concern is that a high proportion of the kenyan youth in secondary schools are involved in drugs nacada 2012. Drug use is a phenomenon that is across south africa, polluting our schools and. At the end of the apartheid era, rochasilva 1992 wrote that south african research relating to the nature and extent of use of drugs other than alcohol and tobacco among the general adult population in south africa was virtually nonexistent. Substance use amongst secondary school students in a. Helplines south africa south africa rehab and drug support. The south african drugs and drug trafficking act 1401992 that was replaced by the prevention of and treatment for substance abuse act 70 of 2008, promulgated on 01 april 20. Substance use amongst secondary school students in a rural. Sa drug abuse trends paint a grim picture boksburg. The drug problem in south africa is extremely serious, with drug usage reported as being at twice the world norm.
The researchers interest in the study evolved from her involvement with adolescent drug patients at magaliesoord centre. Drug abuse among students in public secondary schools in. Drug testing is an important part of living up to this promise, and is in. Drug and alcohol abuse in south africa relapse prevention. Sanca is an established organization specializing in the prevention of substance abuse on a national, regional and district or community level. South africa for editing the final draft, as well as me magda botha unisa for. Other drugs that are commonly used in these settings include cannabis, inhalants, tranquilizers, heroin and cocaine, among others. Conducting effective substance abuse prevention work. When someone is under the influence of alcohol and drugs it is very difficult for that person to make good and sound decisions. Latest drug statistics south africa 2016 south africa. The south african government has identified it as one of the priority focus areas in order to ensure that the wellbeing of individuals is restored.
Learners substance abuse at school in selected high schools in east london of south africa article pdf available in journal of research in education sciences 191. In this chapter, the problem will be contextualised and the. Strategies for prevention and intervention of drug abuse. Mandrax is today the second most widely abused substance in south africa after cannabis. The south african depression and anxiety group sadag has partnered with the department of social development in launching a tollfree substance abuse helpline in an effort to increase access to help, support and appropriate treatment for substance users. In light of sancas drug awareness week from 24 to 28 june and youth month, now. Drug use statistics in south africa as reported by the united nations world drug report of 2014 drug abuse remains a growing problem in south africa with 7. The study investigated adolescence drug abuse among university undergraduates in university of benin edo state of nigeria. South african helplines alcoholics anonymous south africa worldwide fellowship for alcoholics supporting those choosing to be sober.
In south africa, substance abuse is extremely serious, with drug usage. Children, says burton 2008, are more likely to experience violence in south african schools than in their homes. This act covers new challenges regarding the prevention of drug abuse and addresses gaps which existed in the act of 1992. These guidelines aim to reach those who work at the planning and decisionmaking level on national, regional or local drug abuse prevention strategies and policies.
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