​“I have come to understand the importance of medicine when used correctly and the detrimental effects if overused. Raising awareness around medicine helps preserve lives. Medicines are not just a commodity”.
This was said by 22-year-old Josephine Senyatsi, from Pretoria West, a Pharmacist Intern at Sefako Makgatho University at the backdrop of the International Day Against Drugs Abuse and illicit trafficking event hosted by the Gauteng Department of Social Development in partnership with Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, in Ga-Rankuwa, Tshwane at the weekend.

This year’s commemoration, which is hosted annually on 26 June, was targeted at youth in Institutions of Higher Learning to create awareness against the abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.

University’s Acting Dean of School of Pharmacy Dr Moliehi Matlala giving the message of support, cautioned that, “As medicine dispersers, we are not just only worried about nyaope, but also about drugs which are prescribed by doctors and sold over the counters. We need to encourage these programs and hope this is the beginning of a partnership”.

Deputy Director General for Social Welfare Services, Onkemetse Kabasia said, “The department funds about 1130 inpatient beds, from 400 beds three years ago, and 226 also funds halfway house beds which persons with substance use disorders can access free of charge. We pay for full treatment regime and psychosocial support services at over R13 000 per person”.

Kabasia said that the department has partnered with 16 Non-Profitmaking Organizations which manage inpatient treatment centers, 25 outpatient treatment services, 63 Community based services and 6 halfway houses to a tune of over R320 million in the current financial year.

He said, “To strengthen aftercare services, the department has established six Centers of Excellence in all five regions for skills development programs which strive to enhance social integration for services (drug) users. Among the programs offered to those recovering as Electrical, Plumbing, Welding, Carpentry, Joinery, Bricklaying and Scooter Driving projects”.

He said alcohol is the most abused substance in the country, but most people do not seek treatment for alcohol addiction as it is seen as socially acceptable.