WeeklySA_AdminLost: The cost to the country of alcohol in terms of absenteeism, crime and lost productivity is nearly R37,9 billion a year
By SAnews and WSAM Reporter
South Africans spent R7.7 billion on alcohol between last year’s Christmas week to January 1 this year while opposition political parties and thousands of community members complained of the government’s failure to stem the tide of poverty, unemployment and hunger in this country.
Addressing the portfolio committee on Social Development recently, Deputy Minister, Ganief Hendricks said the scourge of substance and drug abuse was a challenge not only for South Africa, but globally. He highlighted the consequences of drug abuse on South African society.
The Deputy Minister led a team from the Department of Social Development and the Central Drug Authority in tabling the 2023/2024 Central Drug Authority Annual Report before the committee.
Ahead of presenting the report, Hendricks noted that according to the South African Society of Psychiatrists one out of every five adults abuse mind-altering substances.
‘’South Africans spent R7.7 billion on alcohol between the week of 25 December 2024 to 1 January 2025.
“According to the South African Society of Psychiatrists, almost 20% of South Africans – one out of every five adults – abuse mind-altering substances, with alcohol, painkillers (codeine) and dagga the worst offenders’’.
Hendricks added that the rising figures of illicit drug use suggested that the country was losing the war on drugs.
“The annual cost to the country of alcohol abuse alone, in terms of absenteeism, lost productivity, health and welfare costs, and alcohol-related crime is estimated at up to 10% of the gross domestic product, or as much as R37.9 billion annually, according to a 2014 study in the South African Medical Journal.
“You can imagine how much it costs the country, especially its causal relations to gender-based violence and femicide, and all the social ills.”
Turning to the 2023/2024 annual report from the Central Drug Authority, the Deputy Minister told the committee that the report highlighted some of the continued and sustained milestones during the sixth administration, particularly in terms of the investments made by national departments, public entities, provinces, the provincial substance abuse forums, and local drug action committees in people, through their various interventions to address and counter the drug problem in the country.
Hendricks noted that South Africa, like other countries, was adversely affected by substance use and substance use disorders, alcohol being the most widely used psychoactive substance in the country.
“I am pleased to state that Cabinet has approved the Prevention and Treatment for Substance Use Disorder Policy.”
The policy sought to introduce gamechangers in curbing the scourge of substance abuse in the country and would enable the sector to review current outdated legislation and address emerging trends. Another critical milestone was that the department had initiated a process to establish an interministerial committee to address the scourge of substance abuse. The Central Drug Authority presentation focused primarily on the implementation of the National Drug Master Plan 2019-2024 by key stakeholders, thus reducing the supply, demand and harm caused by substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking which, the Deputy Minister said, “are directly affecting the poor, vulnerable and other key populations in our communities”.
Mirror Briefs
DEADLINE FOR SPAZA SHOPS
The clock is ticking for spaza shop owners and food businesses to register with their municipalities or face legal repercussions.
The deadline for registration is February 28, 2025.
In November 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that spaza shop owners and food businesses had 21 days to register their businesses with their respective municipalities.
This followed hundreds of cases of foodborne illnesses in parts of the country, where nearly 30 people, including children, passed away after consuming snacks purchased at some spaza shops last year.
After the directive was issued by the President in November, an extension was granted for spaza shops and other food handling outlets to register by February 28, 2025.
The directive to register spaza shops is meant to prevent dangerous foodborne illnesses and protect communities.
Business owners must visit their municipal registration centre on business days only (public holidays and weekends excluded).
They can also call the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA) at 086 010 3703 or 012 748 9600 for support. – Sanews.
JOZI’S R800-B PLEDGE
Preparations are underway for the Gauteng Investment Conference, which aims to ultimately attract R800-billion in investment pledges into South Africa’s most populous province over the next three years.
Officially launched by Gauteng Finance and Economic Development MEC, Lebogang Maile at the JSE last week, the Gauteng Investment Conference, to be held on April 3, will catalyse the province’s economic momentum and align with its broader regional integration goals.
Gauteng continues to attract major public and private sector funding, solidifying its status as a prime global investment destination.
In an effort to ramp up efforts to continue to promote Gauteng as a leading global investment and tourism destination, the conference has seven objectives, all geared towards the developmental agenda of the province, as well as the region.
The first objective is to secure R300-billion in investment commitments.
“This is a foundational step toward our R800-billion target. It is a call for both domestic and international investors to support the transformative initiative in Gauteng grounded in sustainable development,” Maile said.
“While this might sound like an insurmountable target, we are confident in the investment potential of the province.’’ – Fullview
NEW SASSA CARDS
The Portfolio Committee on Social Development has called on the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to ensure that all beneficiaries have access to Postbank sites so they can migrate to the new Postbank Black Cards before the deadline to receive their March 2025 social grants.
SASSA beneficiaries have until February 28, 2025 to renew their cards and transition from the SASSA Gold Card to the new Postbank Black Card. All gold cards will be invalid for all transactions after the deadline.
The new black card has improved security features and provides better access to grant money through ATMs, selected retailers and online platforms.
“The committee raised its concerns about the shortage of card renewal sites, which has resulted in long queues and delays in the transition process.
“In addition, the lack of Postbank sites in rural areas and areas outside urban areas has resulted in beneficiaries struggling to access renewal sites. Furthermore, the committee is concerned that not all the 28 million grant beneficiaries will be migrated before the deadline, due to these challenges and network problems at some sites,” Chairperson of the portfolio committee on Social Development, Bridget Masango, said in a statement. – SAnews
DRUG RING BUST
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has uncovered a drug syndicate selling steroids, scheduled medicine, stimulants and other performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) online.
Six suspects – three men and three women, – have been arrested at various locations in Pretoria.
They face multiple charges related to the contravention of the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act, Medicines and Related Substances Act and the Counterfeit Goods Act.
The takedown operation took place last week following extensive investigations including the SAPS National Organised Crime Investigations (OCI) Narcotics Unit, supported by the SAPS’ Transnational Vehicle Crime Investigation (VCI) Unit, Gauteng Provincial Narcotics Unit, Crime Intelligence and the SAPS K9 Search and Rescue.
The suspects were reportedly operating an online website to trade and distribute counterfeit and illicit performance-enhancing drugs, scheduled medicines, steroids and stimulants.
Investigations, which included a forensic analysis, revealed that the products contained prohibited substances.
During the arrests, the team seized a substantial quantity of counterfeit and illicit performance-enhancing drugs, steroids, scheduled medicine and stimulants as well as electronic devices.
The suspects are expected to appear in court later this week. – SAnews
