BARBERTON – Communities have been urged to become involved and cooperate with government in the fight against alcohol and substance abuse among the youth.
“This duty can never be left to government alone. It is the responsibility of every member of the community to do something about it. Let us work together and ensure that our youth are on the right path to adulthood so that they can be the good leaders of tomorrow,” said Adv Sandile Nkosi of the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti).
He was addressing the crowd who attended the National liquor Authority Youth Month commemoration on June 20 at the Umjindini Local Municipality.
The event was part of the department’s campaign to educate the youth about the adverse effects of alcohol abuse and to encourage them to venture into entrepreneurship and empower themselves.
He added that the department had initiated the Youth Month campaign to provide young people with information that would give them better alternatives than alcohol.
Worldwide statistics also showed that the country was first in the world ratings of alcohol abuse with the local municipality facing its significant challenges in terms of substance abuse among the youth and primary schoolchildren.
A local social worker, Ms Tariro Chikoka, mentioned her office was dealing with a number of alcohol-abuse cases involving primary school learners in Barberton with the youngest victim being a 12-year-old.
She urged parents to empower their children through instilling good morals. “Parents need to know that what they do affect their children. They have to be good role models as children learn from their parent’s behaviour,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of Mpumalanga’s Liquor Authority, the acting CEO Mr Angelo Sebastian warned liquor owners against the failure of obeying the Liquor Act. “We are going to close down and penalise outlets that are contravening this Act.
Liquor should not be sold to persons under the age of 18 and we will ensure the law is adhered to. We will close down those that do not comply with the law,” he said.
The following are some of the long-term effects of drug and alcohol abuse:
Irreversible brain damage, deterioration of skin conditions, damage or cancer of the oesophagus, cancer of larynx (voicebox), tuberculosis and pulmonary failure, heart failure, hardening of arteries, hypertension, cirrhosis of the liver, scarring, irreversible damage of the kidney and pancreas, ulcers, abdominal pain, intestine bleeding, impotence, unwanted pregnancy, foetal alcohol syndrome, nerve and muscle tissue damage, arthritis and gout.
Enquiries: SANCA offices in Nelspruit on 013-752-4376.
