DAVID MAKHURA'S CAMPAIGN
ONKGOPOTSE JJ TABANE: Indifference to substance abuse shows in crime figures
Onkgopotse JJ Tabane: Gauteng Premier David Makhura’s campaign is on the mark, but will hard-drinking legislators back him up?
One of the most significant campaigns to be launched by Gauteng Premier David Makhura is that against drug abuse. This issue does not get enough attention despite its adverse effects on so many in society. People tend to categorise those affected by substance and drug abuse as the dregs of society, so the debilitating effects are not high on the list of priorities. In our heavily racialised society the perception is that poor and black people are worst affected by this scourge. Yet SA has been ranked as the heaviest drinking society on the African continent and among the top 10 most drunken societies in the world. This means there are a lot of functional alcoholics among us, across all communities, rich and poor. Many are living in denial or have found coping mechanisms to disguise the drunken stupors. It is clear that given the horrific statistics of partner abuse and even murders highlighted during the 16 days of activism, our society is not yet serious enough about dealing with s...
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