Deputy Minister Ganief Henricks Addresses Portfolio Committee on Growing Substance Abuse Crisis in South Africa

Substance Abuse: A Growing Global Concern

Deputy Minister of Social Development, Ganief Henricks, recently addressed the portfolio committee on Social Development, bringing attention to the widespread issue of substance and drug abuse.

This problem isn’t just a challenge for South Africa, but one that affects nations across the globe.

The Impact on South Africa

During his speech, the Deputy Minister shared the concerning consequences of drug abuse on South African society.

He led a team from the Department of Social Development and the Central Drug Authority to present the 2023/2024 Central Drug Authority Annual Report to the committee.

Before diving into the report, Deputy Minister Henricks pointed out a troubling statistic from the South African Society of Psychiatrists: one in every five adults in the country struggles with mind-altering substance abuse.

Alcohol, painkillers (particularly codeine), and dagga (marijuana) are identified as the most commonly abused substances.

With the rising numbers of illicit drug use, the Deputy Minister stressed that South Africa is losing the battle against drugs.

The Cost of Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol abuse is also a major concern. In a recent study, South Africans spent R7.7 billion on alcohol from December 25, 2024, to January 1, 2025.

Hendricks pointed out that alcohol abuse alone costs the country billions each year.

According to a 2014 study in the South African Medical Journal, alcohol-related issues—including absenteeism, lost productivity, health and welfare costs, and alcohol-related crimes—add up to as much as 10% of the country’s GDP, amounting to around R37.9 billion annually.

This cost is not just financial; it also ties into critical social issues, such as gender-based violence and femicide.

Addressing the Substance Abuse Crisis

Turning to the 2023/2024 report, Henricks highlighted some of the significant milestones in the fight against substance abuse during the sixth administration.

This includes the ongoing efforts and investments from national departments, public entities, provinces, and local drug action committees, all working together to tackle the drug crisis in South Africa.

He emphasized that substance abuse and related disorders affect not only South Africa but many countries worldwide, with alcohol being the most widely consumed psychoactive substance in the country.

A New Policy to Tackle Substance Use

The Deputy Minister expressed satisfaction that the Cabinet had approved the Prevention and Treatment for Substance Use Disorder Policy.

This policy aims to introduce innovative approaches to combat substance abuse and will allow for the review of outdated legislation, making it more adaptable to emerging trends in the substance abuse landscape.

Another key development is the creation of an interministerial committee to focus on tackling substance abuse more effectively.

Focus on the National Drug Master Plan

The Central Drug Authority’s report also underscored the progress made in implementing the National Drug Master Plan 2019-2024.

This initiative involves key stakeholders working together to reduce the supply, demand, and harm caused by substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking—issues that deeply impact vulnerable communities in South Africa.

With these ongoing efforts, Henricks remains hopeful that the country can take meaningful steps toward addressing this pervasive problem.

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