Substance abuse is defined as a pattern of excessive drug use where the substance is consumed in abnormal quantities or manners. In South Africa, factors contributing to substance abuse among teenagers include the country's large illegal drug market, high poverty levels, and porous borders enabling drug trafficking. Popular drugs abused by South African teens are cannabis, heroin, methamphetamines, nyaope, cocaine, alcohol, and crystal meth. Prevention efforts focus on educating families and schools to create supportive environments and provide information about the harms of substance abuse.
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3. What is substance abuse?
The excessive use of a substance, which can be alcohol or
narcotics, is referred to as substance abuse. Therefore, we
define substance abuse as a pattern of drug use in which a
person consumes a substance in quantities and through
techniques that are customary for substance consumption.
6. Factors that contribute to substance abuse in South Africa
According to research conducted by the University of Witswatersrand, South Africa has
been ranked as a country that has the largest illegal drug market in sub-Saharan Africa.
This contributes to why most teenagers are able to access drugs.
The severe poverty level within this country is of the factors as many youngsters try to
avoid the reality of unemployment. This is their way of forgetting about their existing
problems.
Boarders are said to be porous, which makes it easy for illegal drug sellers to pass
through with their drugs.
South Africa has expanded its trading links to countries such as America and has
attracted more drug traffickers over the years
16. Family
Parents should create a positive climate in their homes,
this is to allow their children to be able to discuss serious
matters with them instead of resorting to drugs.
Parents must enforce household rules and establish the
rules. They must constantly supervise their children and
form relationships with their teachers at school to know
how their children are doing at school. This is because
kids can be kids at home but different creatures when
they are around their friends.
17. School
Teachers may start by incorporating topics
of substance abuse into the curriculum. Teach
learners the harmful effects of drug abuse
from as early as 7 years of age.
Teachers must ensure that learners
participate in extra mural activities, this is to
ensure that they do not run to the toilets after
school to smoke or drink alcohol. Rather keep
them busy with something
..