Illicit Drug Use and Treatment in South Africa: A Review

Abstract

This review synthesizes available epidemiological data on current drug use and substance abuse treatment admissions in south africa since 1994, and how changes in the political, economic and social structures within south africa both before and after apartheid make the country more vulnerable to drug use. based on national surveys current use of cannabis ranged among adolescents from 2% to 9% and among adults 2%, cocaine/crack (0.3%), mandrax/sedatives (0.3%), club drugs/amphetamine-type stimulants (0.2%), opiates (0.1%) and hallucinogens (0.1%). The primary illicit substance at admission to South African drug treatment centers was cannabis 16.9%, methamphetamine (Tik) 12.8%, crack/cocaine 9.6%, cannabis and mandrax 3.4%, heroin/opiates 9.2%, and prescription and OTC 2.6%. An increase in substance abuse treatment admissions has occurred. While the prevalence of illicit drug use in South Africa is relatively low compared to the USA and Australia, prevention and intervention policies need to be designed to reduce these levels by targeting the more risky subpopulations identified from this review.

Cannabis and mental illness in adolescents: a review

“…7 Based on national general population surveys, cannabis use is estimated to range from 2-9% in otherwise healthy adolescents in South Africa. 8 Importantly, rates of use are much higher in the mentally ill population. For example, in a study in Durban, South Africa, 61.8% of adolescents (aged 10-18 years) admitted with psychotic symptoms reported lifetime cannabis use; 9 while cannabis was the most common debut drug reported in adolescents with psychosis at Tygerberg Hospital in the Western Cape, South Africa.…”

Hypertension, end-stage renal disease and mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis in methamphetamine users

“…[1] The drug is commonly used by young people of mixed ancestry, [2] and particularly those of lower socioeconomic status and educational level. [3] A closely related amphetamine, known as Ecstasy, was initially used as an appetite suppressant but rapidly became a recreational drug used in dancing clubs, where it was found to cause hyperthermia, dehydration and rhabdomyolysis, and an increased risk of acute renal failure.…”

The wrong type of decline: Fluctuations in price and value of illegal substances in Cape Town

“…While geographically limited, we have systematically compared these data with the findings of the single previous study to have undertaken such a structured review of street-level substance prices in the past, published in 2010. 10 In so doing we show that while the nominal prices of many illegal substances have remained relatively resilient, the real value of these products has greatly decreased. Illegal substances, in short, are more easily available and more affordable than ever.…”