Linda Ensor
28 August 2007
Cape Town — Alcohol abuse cost the country about R10bn a year while dagga smokers spent about R3,6bn annually on their habit, the Central Drug Authority (CDA) said in its annual report for the 2005-06 financial year, which was tabled in Parliament yesterday.
With the average annual per capita consumption of alcohol at about 20l, SA has one of the highest rates of consumption in the world.
The authority was set up under the Prevention and Treatment of Substance Dependency Act to implement the national drug master plan and advise Social Development Minister Zola Skweyiya on matters relating to drug abuse.
"The health and socio-economic consequences of substance use, abuse and dependency are of growing concern," the CDA said. "Substance dependence demands large investments in the detection, detoxification and treatment of substance dependants."
The authority's report noted that alcohol remained the primary drug of abuse in SA. "Indications are that 7,5%- 31,5% of South Africans have an alcohol problem or are at risk of having one."
The report said binge drinkers could be expected to drink nine tots of spirits, a bottle or more of wine or more than two litres of beer a day.
"Alcohol abuse of this nature costs the country in the region of R10bn each year," the report said.
Regarding cannabis or dagga, the CDA said it was estimated SA produced 3000 tons of the 40000 tons produced globally.
"Half of the production is used by the local user population who spend about R3,56bn annually on cannabis at R0,65/g.
"Cannabis remains the most consumed substance of abuse after alcohol," the report said.
The cocaine-snorting population numbered about 265000 and used 4,6 tons annually valued at R1,43bn. The powder cost more than R300/g on the street.
About two tons of amphetamines such as ecstasy entered SA in 2005 and were used by 1,2-million people who paid about R143m for the drugs at roughly R72/g.
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