Why Is Substance Abuse a Social Issue in South Africa
What is called substance abuse?
Substance abuse, commonly known as drug abuse, is the medical term for a pattern of using illegal substances, over-the-counter medications, or alcohol for purposes other than those for which they were intended, which causes substantial issues or distress to the individual.
What are the causes of drug abuse?
1. Peer pressure
2. Physical and sexual abuse
3. Early exposure to drugs,
4. Stress
5. Low Self-Esteem
6. Depression and Mental illnesses
7. Chronic pain
What are the effects of drug abuse?
1. Liver damage/failure.
2. Seizures
3. Stroke
4. Insomnia
5. Mental confusion and brain damage
6. Lung disease.
7. Increased vulnerability to infection and further complications
8. Psychotic behavior
9. Cardiovascular conditions, including heart attacks and collapsed veins.
When did drugs become a problem in South Africa?
Drugs became a problem in South Africa during the 1960s and 1970s, when psychotropic chemicals such as heroin, cocaine, and ecstasy were widely abused.
Substance abuse is a big social issue in South Africa, and it has been linked to low academic performance in a study undertaken by Kebogile E. Mokwena and Nomkanka J. Setshego. Substance abuse is a key factor to decreased productivity, unemployment, dysfunctional family life, political instability, the development of chronic diseases such as AIDS and tuberculosis (TB), injury, and premature death.
What is the most common substance abused in South Africa?
Alcohol is the most common substance of abuse among adult population in South Africa
Which part of South Africa has the most substance abuse cases?
Recorded cases of substance abuse are high in Gauteng and Mpumalanga in South Africa.
What are the negative consequences of substance abuse in South African schools?
1. Absenteeism
2. Low academic performance
3. Truancy
4. Delinquency
