Substance Abuse, Prevention and Rehabilitation
Substance Abuse
When drugs are used for the purpose it was intended, it constitute use when it is used for wrong reasons e.g medical excessive or addictive and non medical it is abuse. Substance abuse can be characterized as the over indulgence in and dependence on addictive substances, especially drugs and alcohol.
What is a drug?
A drug is a substance other than food, derived from natural and synthetic sources which bring changes in the functioning of the body and or the mind.
What is drug abuse
Drug abuse can be understood as the consumption of a substance:
Without medical supervision of a medically useful drugs which change mood behavior for a purpose other than that for which is prescribed which has mind-changing properties and have no legitimate medical or changing properties and have no legitimate medical or social acceptance use; • which is socially acceptable but can be used contrary to the accepted norms and values of the community.
What is alcohol abuse?
It is the physical and physiological dependence on alcohol. Being addicted to alcohol means that your mind and body will not let you stop drinking alcohol.
What is Addiction / Dependence?
Compulsive drug use characterised by an overwhelming preoccupation with the use of a drug, the security of its supply, tolerance to its effects and a tendency to replace after withdrawal.
Classification of drugs according to their availability:
- Socially Acceptable Drugs - Alcohol, Nicotine, Caffeine, Snuff, etc.
- Inhalants Drugs - Glue, Benzyne, Petrol, Cooking spray, Spirit, Thinners, etc.
- Over The Counter Drugs - Pain killers (Grandpa, Disprin, Panado)
- Prescribed Drugs - Slimming tablets, sleeping tablets, cough mixtures, etc.
- Illegal Drugs - Dagga, Heroin, Tik, Ecstasy, Nyaope, etc.
Signs And Symptoms Of Substance Abuse
Strange behavioral patterns
Sudden change of friends
Weight loss
Disappearance of valuables and money
Pre-occupied with the drug or alcohol
Bloodshot eyes
Dilated pupils
Yellow stains on palms of the hands
Increased appetite
Dry mouth, sores around the mouth
General deterioration in health
Secretive
Change in sleeping patterns
Effects Of Substance Abuse
Mental and emotional problem
Lung problems
Liver damage
Bronchitis
Kidney problem
Heart problems
Weight loss
Cardiovascular collapse
Coma and death from overdose
Brain damage
Impotence
Peptic ulcers
Services rendered under Substance Abuse Programme:
Prevention programme
Kemoja training programmes
Parents and caregivers training
Kemoja Holiday programme
Peer counselor training
POPPETS training
Counselling services
Capacity building
After care and group work services to substance abuse dependents.
Mpumalanga has a Provincial Anti Drug Master Plan which was approved by Cabinet and launched by MEC for Health and Social Development, on 09 June 2011.
It focuses on 10 priority areas namely:
Crime
Youth
Poor and vulnerable groups
Capacity building
Communication and networking
Information dissemination
International liaison (Mozambique and Swaziland)
Treatment
Occupational groups at risk
Health
Types of Services
Prevention Programmes
Substance abuse awareness
Information session
KeMoja awareness
KeMoja training
Peer counsellor training
POPPET training
Holiday programme
KADA and TADA training
Parents and caregivers training
Early Intervention
Assessment and counselling
Referral services to outpatient and inpatient treatment
Treatment Services
Assessment and Counselling services
Individual therapy
Group therapy
Family therapy
Medical services
Spiritual services
Occupational therapy and skills development programmes.
Life and social skills education
Reintegration and Aftercare
Aftercare and support groups
Reunification and reintegration
Refer to other services
Coordinating Structures
Local Drug Action Committees
District Drug Action Committees
Provincial Substance Abuse Forum
Facilities available for Treatment
Swartfontein Treatment Centre
Healing Wings South Africa inpatient for adults
Healing Wings Youth Centre
Mkhondo Alathia Rehabilitation Centre adults inpatient Centre
Mkhondo Alathia Youth Inpatiennt Centre
SANCA Lowveld Alcohol and Drug Help Centre
SANCA Witbank Alcohol and Drug Help Centre
SANCA Thembisile Alcohol and Drug Help Centre
SANCA MARC Alcohol and Drug Help Centre
Social Development offices
Mpumalanga Provincial Drug Master Plan 2010-2014
It is an integrated strategy that was developed by different stakeholders in tackling the problem of substance abuse. It also anticipates cooperation and coordination of activities with other role players and provincial government departments.
To achieve its aims, the Mpumalanga DMP has identified ten priority areas:
- Crime
- Youth
- Poor and vulnerable groups
- Health
- Treatment
- Research and Information Dissemination
- International liaison (Swaziland and Mozambique)
- Communication and networking
- Capacity building
- Occupational groups at risk
Crime
Substance abuse issues are encountered at every level of the criminal justice system. Most substance related crimes are a culmination of a variety of factors (personal, situational, cultural, and economic) but the South African Drug Abuse Monitoring project demonstrates a strong link between substance abuse and crime.
Youth
The children of South Africa have been accorded priority attention since the advent of the new democracy. Young people occupy a dependent position in the family and society; they are more influenced by peers and popular culture and are therefore more vulnerable to be hooked on drugs. They need education or vocational training to equip them to make informed decisions about their lives and their future. Major gaps still exist in the intervention programmes for the youth, especially in rural areas. A special effort is required to establish proper youth programmes and to ensure that they are accessible to all young people in the province.
Poor and Vulnerable Groups
Substance abuse mostly affects poor and vulnerable groups such as the unemployed, children, orphans, workers, people with disabilities, and older persons. Efforts should be directed at ensuring that all government departments take responsibility for preventing and combating substance abuse, and that all vulnerable groups are empowered to know their rights so that they can access support.
Health
Special areas of concern for the department of Health are the high rate of substance abuse among people of childbearing age. Other national issues are teenage pregnancy, foetal alcohol syndrome, multidrug resistant illnesses such as TB, and sexually transmitted infections including HIV and AIDS. Primary prevention and treatment programmes should also include harm reduction which implies efforts to reduce the harmful effects of the use of drugs. Reducing harm refers specifically to the reduction of violence, road accidents, unemployment, abuse of children and women, and the spread of STI including HIV and AIDS. Detoxification should be provided in private and public health facilities and immediately followed by inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation programmes.
Research and Dissemination of Information
Extensive research is needed to fill the gaps in information on the prevalence of drug use among different groups in the different parts of the province and the country, on the economic costs of substance abuse, on the relationship between substance abuse and national issues (HIV and AIDS, TB, crime, youth development, and poverty), on effective community-based interventions, and on the impact of current policies. Information dissemination about the effects of drugs contributes to harm reduction.
International Liaison
South Africa helps combat the global substance abuse problem, notably illicit trafficking in drugs, and also participates in global decision making on solving the drug problem. International forums such as the United National Commissions on Narcotics, the United Nations Specialized Agencies, Interpol, the World Customs Organizations, and a number of foreign government agencies. South Africa also encourages bilateral cooperation in fighting the drug problem and has entered into four police-to-police cooperation agreements in the area of drugs. The government places a high priority on the fulfilment of its obligations under international drug control instruments and is a state party to international conventions. South Africa is participating in strategies to combat the problem regionally by implementing the Drug Protocol of the Southern African Development Community and the action plans of the African Union.
Communication
The Government Communication and Information System collaborate with the CDMASAF and relevant government departments in developing effective communication strategies on substance abuse related matters. Communication should take into account the most commonly used languages in the province, other cultural and socioeconomic differences, illiteracy, and disabilities such as visual impairment.
Capacity Building
A pressing need exists for training of doctors, nurses, social workers and psychologists on substance abuse and other addictions. Health professionals, particularly in primary health care should recognise the part played by substance abuse in their patients’ problems and be able to deal with these problems in a non-judgemental way.
Professional from other sectors, such as police, personnel officers, the clergy, lawyers, correctional Services officials, prosecutors, and teachers all require training. This should include training on recognizing abuse and dependence, and knowledge of places where affected persons can be referred for treatment and rehabilitation.
Occupational Groups at Risk
Specific occupational groups that seems to be especially at risk of drug addiction include artists, musicians, medical personnel, farm workers, and transport industry workers especially long distance truck drivers.
Treatment
There is a serious need to provide quality in-patient, out-patient and community based treatment services to substance dependant persons and their families in Mpumalanga. Another dire need is for treatment centres that cater especially for the needs of youth with substance abuse problems in the province. The province also needs to intensify after care services as patients need this service after treatment for support and reorientation into the new life style that they start after receiving treatment.