The National Drug Master Plan, 4th Edition 2019-2024, states that: ‘Socioeconomic factors such as poverty, inequality, and unemployment remain key contributors to the increased use of drugs and the development of substance use disorders.’

The story of Linda (whose real name shall be withheld) and his father is not an isolated one in a typical South African township laced with traces of family dysfunction. Once a good-looking and chubby lad with a glowing ebony skin, he is seated across from me now in tattered clothes with bloodshot eyes; Linda says he hates that he has now turned into a shadow of his former bubbly self.

“I do not enjoy the stares of disappointment from those who knew me earlier. I know I am always the first suspect should anything go missing around my neighbourhood. There is no dignity to my life anymore,” he somberly says. He only met his biological mother in his late teens, after she abandoned him when he was a baby, leaving him in the care of his father who for years was under the clutch of alcohol abuse. Linda recalls having to live on hand-me-downs from relatives and not having luxuries like Christmas clothes as many of his peers would.

“My grandmother was the pillar of our family, for a long time the void of my mother was a non-issue because of the amount of affection the old woman showered us with. There were a lot of us living in the yard; divisiveness was bound to arise every now and then especially once they (the adults) were under the influence and violence would ensure. She would try to protect us, but her frail health would fail her at times. It didn’t help that I also struggled academically, and many would never miss out on the opportunity to remind me. I did give it my all but failed dismally to even reach matric; eventually dropping out.”

With the rates of youth unemployment in the country continuously soaring, Linda is no different from many others roaming the streets idle in our communities. Social Worker Hendrick Lefoka, who possesses vast experience in matters pertaining to substance abuse, identifies it as one of the most gruesome challenges in this country. South Africa is said to have one of the highest rates of addiction in the world. “There is a correlation between substance abuse and mental health problems, domestic abuse and financial constraints. It erodes the moral compass and societal values. Further deprioritising development is the diversion of resources towards rehabilitation over innovative ideas that could be highly beneficial to society. Some of the impacts include the increase in contracting sexually transmitted infections through the sharing of needles and transactional sex, and deaths from overdose, leaving children orphaned neglected,” said Mr Lefoka.

He disagrees that socioeconomic factors have a major influence on the susceptibility of one to addiction, but does not absolve the role of demographics and the apartheid legacy. “Substance abuse is a great equaliser, brings everyone to the same working field: regardless of class or creed, many seek coping mechanisms or ways to better manage whatever situation; unfortunately this is the immediate resort.” Mr Lefoka does not believe the country has an effective intervention plan in place, with the relapse rate being very high, making mention of how the community has especially ostracized addicts forcing them to group amongst themselves. Building relations and integration are crucial if we are to make any leeway.

Hendrick insists that forcing people to stop is ineffective, citing the positive success rate of those who self-rehabilitate without external intervention; however he does also emphasise the importance of seeking professional help.

Linda’s father throughout the conversation has his head bowed in what appears to be shame, with his forehead resting on the palm of his hand. “Seeing my family in this state propelled me to put the bottle down. Any parent wants better for their kids; looking at Linda and the direction he was headed towards brought me so much dismay. This is my firstborn son and I have failed him,” he says. Following years of excessive alcohol consumption, Linda’s father took it upon himself to change his lifestyle to set a better example. He is a self-taught handyman and earns a living through it; it hasn’t been an easy ride but resilience has carried him through.

Linda previously had a stint in a rehabilitation centre, through the assistance of his sister, but relapsed. “I was taken away then brought back to the same place that led me there in the first place!” he bemoans.

This leads one to question: what fighting chance does a person have when the environment is still not ideal or conducive for one to lead a better life? What difference would it make if we tackled the triggers and offered assistance as a preventative measure instead? Truth is, many are battling to cope and lack the correct mechanisms to function better in a lot of instances. The matter is not as black and white as many of us may perceive it.