SANCA Drug Awareness Week - 19-26 June

Statistics for 2005 state that drug and alcohol abuse had increased by 200% over the previous four years. In a survey of persons aged 14 to 22 years, 60% were drug users, with the youngest heroin addict being only eight years' old. Re-assuringly, however, incidences of under tens using drugs (according to 2004 statistics) is less than 1%. This jumps dramatically for the 10 to 14 year age group, to 2 to 4%. Typical drugs used by these youngsters are alcohol, tobacco and dagga.

The South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA) will hold its annual Drug Awareness week this month. SANCA's major objectives are the prevention and treatment of alcohol and other drug dependence. SANCA operates through public education and through treatment services for chemically dependent people and their families. There are no guarantees that children will not choose to use drugs, but parents can influence their children by providing guidance and clear rules about not using drugs. Parents should talk honestly with their children about drugs and listen carefully to any questions they may have. Parents can help their children develop self-confidence and strong values. These will equip children to say no to drugs.

By Brenda Daniels, SANCA