BY ZINHLE BHUDA
The accessibility of
alcoholic products to young people in South Africa has led to the misuse of
alcohol by the youth of our country.
Over 50% of South
African youth between the ages of 13-25 have consumed alcoholic beverage in
their lifetime, although most of them would say they drink alcoholic beverages
just for fun, there is a high number of them that drink alcohol in a very weird
way and too much too often. In an interview with students, 22 years old Daniel
Mboyane said, “I drink alcohol at least 15 times a month, depending on whether
I have money or not”, he further added that if he does not have money, he
borrows from friends or loan sharks. Most of the students said they drink
mostly on weekends.
According to a survey
by the South African Medical Journal (SAMJ), alcohol use amongst our youth is
common, and increases with age for both males and females. There is also a
tendency to more harmful binge drinking. SA Stats has also shown that at least
65% of South African youth drink alcohol every weekend. The main factors to use
and misuse of alcohol amongst youth include peer pressure and the desire to fit
in, Akonaho Dzivani (21) said, “I consume alcohol with my friends and roommates
so that do not feel left out or lonely”.
Some more reasons for
alcohol abuse are the relative cheapness of alcoholic products and how easily
accessible they are, more especially in disadvantaged communities because they
(alcoholic products) can be easily bought from bottle stores, supermarkets,
bars and shebeens, and other unlicensed liquor outlets, which unfortunately
outnumber the licensed ones. One student said that in her community, a child as
young as 13 years old can be sold an alcoholic beverage.
Although alcohol has
many harmful effects on every consumer of it, like taking a toll on the liver, which
causes liver inflammations including alcoholic hepatitis and fibrosis, and can
cause cancers such as oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, and esophageal cancer, most
of the consumers do not even care about these effects. Happiness Shongwe (18)
said, “I am still young and strong, nothing will happen to my health anytime”.
Mboyane added that he does not even think about the effects of alcohol on his
health, he just focuses on enjoying himself. This shows that our youth has
given in to alcohol despite its harmful effects on their health.
“I exercise a lot,
alcohol will not have that much of an effect on my health”, said Dzivani,
however, the truth of the matter is that alcohol can interfere with the way one’s
brain looks and functions, which changes how a person behaves and their mood,
therefore making it harder to think clearly and move coordination. Alcohol was
produced for people to have fun occasionally, but its initial purpose is only
harming our people. It is only up to South Africans whether they put an end to
the abuse of alcohol, particularly by youth or not.
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