Combating substance abuse amongst learners in South African schools.

Abstract

Substance abuse amongst learners in schools seems to play a big role in destroying the dreams and future of leaners. This study aims at looking at the causes that may lead to substance abuse and the effects it has on the learners, families, community and the country as a whole. The leaners have families, they belong to certain communities and form part of the country. This is the reason why the researcher decided to broaden the study to include all other people that might have an impact and who are also affected by this plague of substance abuse amongst leaners. The causes of substance abuse that are outlined in this study includes loneliness, rejection peer pressure, stress, exposure via modelling, environmental surroundings and socialisation and family conflict. Peer pressure and stress are very dominant causes towards substance abuse. However, the fact that leaners come from different families with different family background and financial status is stressful that other leaners end up being exposed to peer pressure while trying to make friends. This however leads to unplanned sexual activity, an increase in sexually transmitted diseases, depression, cancer, suicide, personality disorders, and homicides. It contributes to a number of school dropouts, unemployment, crime, and poverty. These effects have an impact in all citizens from leaners, their families, the communities and the country at large. This study further looks at the available legislation in combating substance and drug abuse amongst leaners in South African schools. The legislations are available but the research specifically on leaners abusing substances has not been explored, hindering the researcher to get as much facts as possible. However, the legal framework set out the rules and regulations of substance abuse. The researcher identified that the problem is with implementing the available legislations resulting to substance abuse issues not being adequately addressed. Different legislations such as the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, United Nations Convention on Rights of the Child, The National Drug Master Plan, Constitution of South Africa, Children’s Act, South African Schools Act and other legislation were looked at in comparison with other countries legislations to identify the gap. Professionals have roles and responsibilities in assisting the learners affected by substance abuse, their parent and families. A comparison between South Africa and the United State of America for strategies that proved to be effective in combating substance abuse was done. This can assist in answering the research question as to what can be done to assist the learners and families who are affected by substance abuse.