Pretoria - Government has increased efforts against the fight against alcohol and substance abuse which are "major public health and social concerns undermining society".
Speaking during a Social Protection and Community Development cluster media briefing in Parliament on Friday, Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini said Cabinet has established an Inter-Ministerial Committee to coordinate, support and strengthen existing measures to combat the scourge of the abuse.
"Our government recognises that the drug problem is a complex one, requiring decisive action in areas including education, health, law enforcement, social development and sport and recreation. To this end, we have launched the national anti-substance abuse campaign and to ensure that this matter receives the urgency which it deserves," Dlamini said.
Supporting initiatives under the anti-substance abuse programme include the Phuza Wize and "Ke moja" - "I'm fine without drugs" campaigns.
Dlamini said the Central Drug Authority was to host the 2nd Biennial Substance Abuse Summit in March this year. This would provide government with a road map to strengthen its national effort to combat alcohol and substance abuse.
Among the proposals the department is taking to the summit is the banning of alcohol advertisements as it has a huge impact on the minds of young people, said the minister.
The department will also be looking into the issue of law enforcement and how to ensure that taverns close at the correct time.
"We are also going to make a proposal about the location of taverns, where should they be located, because right now they are located in communities, they are not a good example to children.
"The role of trade and industry in terms of giving out licences to applicants for taverns, the issue of legal shebeens, what will be done about this and also public drinking; because it's all over," she said.
