Drugs cost SA R20bn
2007-02-14 08:44
Johannesburg - Substance abuse may be costing South Africa's economy R20bn billion each year, SABC news reported on Tuesday.
Local and international studies showed a steady increase in drug consumption over the last 10 years, a substance abuse summit in Johannesburg heard.
Research also indicated a strong link between substance abuse, crime, risky sexual behaviour and HIV.
According to the Medical Research Council's Professor Charles Parry: "We are not making headway, I think the situation is getting worse in South Africa in terms of drug use, in terms of negative consequences. But I think we're on the road to perhaps starting to make an impact.
"We have a good national drugs strategy, I think we're seeing increasing resources go into treatment. On the policy side we have increased our capacity to intercept drugs. I think there has been greater controls on chemicals which are being used in the manufacture of drugs."
The summit was lauded as the first of its kind in the country. It was being hosted by the department of social development, which intended it to take place every second year, for the country to be on par with its international counterparts, the SABC reported.
- SAPA