The Western Cape Social Development Department is on Monday expected to release results of a recent survey on alcohol and drug abuse among young people.

The survey was done in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The report is expected to determine the provincial prevalence of drug and alcohol use, risk behaviours and mental health problems among school learners in grades eight to ten. The survey will also discuss the way forward in reducing drug and alcohol related problems in the Western Cape.

Meanwhile, the impact of substance abuse on impoverished communities on the Cape Flats on Sunday again came under the spotlight at an event organised by the Western Cape government in Mitchell’s Plain. Incidents of misuse of the substances have been on the increase in the area recently, sometimes linked to gang violence.

Provincial Social Development Minister Albert Fritz said young people are most at risk of being lured to abuse drugs. He said communities should encourage their children to engage in healthy activities. “We highlighted the issue of substance abuse and also highlighted what access to services people may get and how they can access those services,” said Fritz.

He said that the amount of money that the community spent this year alone is R80 million on substance abuse including both alcohol abuse and drug abuse. He said they are now trying to get the communities into programmes aimed at fighting the scourge.