South Africa’s Drug Addiction Surge: A Closer Look at the Numbers From marijuana to cocaine and heroin, South Africa has seen a worrying increase in drug addiction. Surveys from 2002 indicated less than 2% of participants had consumed illicit drugs; fast forward to 2017, and that figure has alarmingly risen to 10%.
The Scourge of Illicit Drugs A report in the International Journal of Drug Policy alerts us to the evolving drug landscape in South Africa. Marijuana continues to be the most commonly used, though its decriminalization occurred post-survey in 2018. The more pressing concern, however, lies in the exponential increase in the usage of harder substances like cocaine and opioids, indicative of a deepening crisis.
The Societal Impact of Drug Use Not only is drug use becoming more common across different races and classes, but certain demographics are disproportionately affected. People of Cape coloured descent, young adults, and males are frequently linked to higher substance use, especially in urban areas. Another concerning aspect is the decreased likelihood of these drug users being tested for HIV—a gap that could impede reaching the UN’s 2025 HIV awareness targets.
Evaluating the Data Researchers, including those from the Human Sciences Research Council, gathered data on drug addiction through comprehensive household surveys across five iterations from 2002 to 2017. Results were national in scope, offering a stark reflection of the country’s escalating drug dilemma. Despite some methodological inconsistencies, a clear rise in the use of non-prescribable drugs is unmistakable.
Supply and Demand Dynamics Kennedy Mutai, author of the new paper, pinpoints an increase in the trafficking of drugs through South African borders as a driving factor. The phenomenon is partially attributed to the post-apartheid opening of international trade, which has inadvertently facilitated smuggling operations.
The Unmet Promise of Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) South Africa’s National Drug Master Plan embraces OST—an approach where harmful opioids are replaced with medically prescribed alternatives—as an evidence-based intervention. However, the current healthcare system only provides methadone treatments for brief periods during hospitalization, falling short of the United Nations’ recommended long-term maintenance therapy.
Conclusion: Addressing Drug Addiction with Foresight and Funding As drug addiction cases mount, a robust response becomes ever more necessary. The potential of strategies like OST should be maximized through adequate funding and policy support, in accordance with South Africa’s National Drug Master Plan, to turn the tide against this growing epidemic.
For a comprehensive analysis of these issues, check the full article available on [News24](https://www.news24.com).
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