Youth pessimistic about drugs
2013-02-11 18:55
-
Johannesburg
Johannesburg: The elusive metropolis is a pioneering effort to insert South Africa's largest city...
Now R236.00
buy now
Johannesburg - Almost 90% of South African youth believe
drug abuse is becoming a greater problem, according to a survey by Pondering
Panda.
Spokesperson Shirley Wakefield said: "It is clear
that not only is drug-taking in South Africa a huge problem, but the situation
is also seen to be deteriorating, rather than improving."
According to the cellphone survey, of 5 024 respondents
aged between 13 and 34, 95% said they regarded drugs as a problem in South
Africa.
Almost two-thirds indicated their belief that police
needed to do more to stop the sale and use of illegal drugs.
"These perceptions regarding the problem of drugs
and the ineffective policing of the situation were broadly held, across all
demographic groups," Wakefield said.
Of those surveyed, 73% claimed to know a drug user.
For the 13 to 14 age group, two-thirds said they knew
someone who used drugs.
"This is a social problem that cuts across all
demographic groups, indicating that it is widespread across the country,"
Wakefield said.
"It is clear that more decisive action is needed
urgently."
- SAPA
