DAGGA 'THE SCOURGE OF SA'

South Africans are more likely to cause injuries to themselves and
others, commit crimes, miss work and engage in risky sexual behaviour
because of alcohol and drug use.

This was said by Deputy Minister of Social Development Jean
Swanson-Jacobs at the commemoration of International Day against Drug
Abuse and Illicit Trafficking at Chris Hani Stadium in Orange Farm,
Vaal, yesterday.

"Global statistics show that South Africans are much more likely than
any other country's citizens to cause injury or death to themselves
and to others when intoxicated.

"In a World Health Organisation study last year on the relationship
between alcohol and injuries conducted among people admitted to
emergency rooms of 12 medical centres in 12 countries, South Africa
had the highest number of injury cases where alcohol was consumed in
the six hours before admittance," Swanson-Jacobs said.

She said dagga and alcohol were the most widely used substances .
"Estimates are that 2,2 million people use dagga. In the second
category is cocaine, heroin, speed, LSD, hashish, Ecstasy and tik," she said.

Swanson-Jacobs said the most effective way of combating drug abuse
involved reducing the supply of drugs through law enforcement .