The socio-economic condition such as poverty, inequality, and unemployment in the country has been attributed as main drivers in the growing drug addiction.
The Gauteng Department of Social Development has put in place programmes and set aside resources to fight the scourge of drug abuse in every corner of the province, particularly from the informal settlements where people are more vulnerable. This is according to social work supervisor, Elaine Mokoena, during an interview at Thetha FM on Tuesday.
 
Recently, the Gauteng Provincial Government unveiled a revised Gauteng City Region (GCR) Anti-Substance Abuse Strategy. The plan seeks to mobilise civil society in fight against drug abuse and to educate the public about the dangers of abusing drugs.
Mokoena said young people abuse substances such as drugs, alcohol, and tobacco for varied and complicated reasons, but it is our society that pays a significant cost. She called on parents to take responsibility for their children and that government was there to help government. She added that some of the addicts started experimenting with drugs at a young age.
"We were happy when alcohol sales were banned because violent crimes were also reduced. As parents, sometimes we act irresponsible and we drink and do things that we are not supposed to do in front of our children, we forget that our children mimic everything that we do, good and bad. We need to be responsible and teach our children from the young age that substance abuse is dangerous".
"Drugs destroy dreams, drugs destroy families and notably drugs destroy young people. A harmful use of alcohol and other drugs remain the widespread among people of all ages and they are a major source of domestic violence and a threat to the future of our society", she added.
She said substance abuse can play a major role in negatively altering the central nervous system of a human being, therefore as the department we encourage people not to indulge in excessive use of any substances. "It is important to note that drug addiction is a treatable disorder. However, because there are so many different conditions in drug addiction, the specific treatment must be tailored to the individual's needs.
For treatment to begin, the abuser must recognize the problem. More often users are in denial about their drug dependence which prevents them from seeking help".
The launch of the mobile treatment services signifies how government is committed to eradicating any form of excessive use of substances in the street.