Doctors battle teen drug overdose flood
Dagga remains the most common abused drug followed by an increasing number in heroin abuse.
AN average of 600 people per year are wheeled through the emergency unit doors at Ngwelezana Hospital owing to an overdose.
SANCA Zululand deals with just under 400 drug related cases per year with 44% of their patients being under the age of 21, highlighting the social and psychological concerns within this age group.
Director Shireen Sahadev said dagga remains the most common abused drug followed by an increasing number in heroin abuse.
‘Another large group of drug abusers belong to those between the ages of 22 and 35, which makes up 39% of our patients.
‘A great percentage of our service users are unemployed and cannot afford in-patient treatment fees, and the waiting period for state rehabilitation centres is usually very long.
‘It would be helpful to have a facility in our area, preferably the hospital, which could assist with detoxification, as many of the users are unable to cope with their withdrawal symptoms resulting in a relapse.
In light of national drug awareness week recently, Sahadev said SANCA needs community support to combat and prevent substance abuse related problems in the City.
‘Early identification of alcoholism and drug dependence is crucial – the sooner the illness is identified and the person treated, the better the prognosis will be.
‘Intervention is directed at the dependent though the family may often require assistance in strengthening them to cope and to motivate the person to seek help, their support plays a crucial part in the recovery of the dependent,’ Sahadev said.
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