Gauteng tops nation in teen substance abuse admissions

CONCERNS are mounting over rising alcohol and drug use among young South Africans, with experts warning that alcohol continues to be glamorised, leading to risky behaviour among teens.

- ANITA NKONKI

GAUTENG Premier Panyaza Lesufi has led the start of the Tswa Daar anti-substance abuse programme across the province.

(Gauteng Gov / X)

The latest report from the South African Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (SACENDU), under the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), shows a substantial increase in substance use cases in Gauteng, especially among adolescents.

According to Nancy Hornsby, senior scientist at the SAMRC's Mental Health, Alcohol, Substance Use and Tobacco Research Unit, Gauteng accounted for more than half (51%) of all admissions to substance use treatment centres nationwide.

Hornsby told the Saturday Star, for the first time, voluntary admissions are surging, with young people increasingly seeking help.

Teenagers aged 15 to 19 now make up 26% of all treatment admissions in the province, a significant jump from 19% previously.

"Nationally, most admissions to specialist treatment facilities were among youths aged 15-19 years. The majority were males with a high-school education. Treatment was predominantly accessed for cannabis misuse (74%)," Hornsby said.

She also noted regional differences in substance use patterns across Pretoria, Bloemfontein, Nelspruit, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.