Partnerships needed to win war against alcohol, drug abuse

Elizabeth Thabethe (Image: GCIS)

"Members of community, as well as liquor traders and distributors must join forces with government in order to combat the scourge of alcohol and drug abuse that is plaguing the country," Thabethe said.

Thabethe was speaking in Motherwell, Port Elizabeth during the launch of the third annual Sobriety Week, a national campaign aimed at creating awareness among the South African public, particularly the youth and pregnant women about the adverse effects of liquor abuse.

She said government needs communities to make it their business that children are protected from being exposed to buying liquor by other persons including the parents themselves.

"We need adults that will take responsibility for their parenting by setting good examples through responsible conduct like not making liquor available to children during the festivities," said Thabethe.

She added that government would like to see the liquor industry coming on board to alleviate the negative socio-economic effects that alcohol abuse has on South Africa.

Liquor traders urged to assist

"We need liquor traders to comply with the conditions of their licences. We need them to understand that business is not only about profits, as they have a responsibility towards all South Africans as well," she said.

"Liquor must not be distributed to retailers that are not registered and it must not be sold to children and pregnant women. We need business to take a moral stand not to make profit at the expense of children because they are killing our future," she added.

Thabethe noted that government recognised challenges faced by communities such as unemployment which resulted in people using and abusing liquor. She encouraged residents to go out and seek information about how they can actively participate in the economy without resorting to liquor.

"The more than R39bn that government spends annually on cases related to alcohol such as accidents caused by drunk driving could be used to create more jobs, particularly for the young people and to better the lives of all South Africans."

Executive mayor of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Ben Fihla, said liquor abuse was causing havoc for families, communities and the South African nation in general.

The Sobriety Week incorporates the International Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Day which is marked internationally on 9 September every year to highlight the irreversible damage that is caused to unborn babies when their mothers consume alcohol during pregnancy.