Alcohol abuse is more than a personal choice. Its effects can extend to families, education, relationships and road safety, making it an issue that requires greater awareness among communities, particularly young people.
The issue has come under the spotlight in Tshwane following a partnership between the City of Tshwane and the Association for Alcohol Responsibility and Education (Aware.org) to educate residents about the dangers of alcohol abuse and its impact on road safety.
The partnership was highlighted on 18 August when Aware.org handed over promotional material to the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) at its headquarters.
Officials later proceeded to a roadblock in Kgosi Mampuru Street, where educational material was distributed to motorists as part of the awareness campaign.
MMC for Community Safety Ald Hannes Coetzee said the initiative was aimed at ensuring residents understood the dangers associated with alcohol abuse, particularly drinking and driving.
“We regard alcohol abuse, and drinking and driving in particular, as more than a lapse in judgment,” Coetzee said.
The City said the partnership forms part of its continued efforts to educate residents and strengthen compliance with road traffic legislation.
The consequences of harmful alcohol use extend beyond the immediate effects of intoxication.
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that alcohol consumption is associated with more than 200 diseases, injuries and health conditions. These include liver disease, cardiovascular diseases, several types of cancer and mental and behavioural conditions.
WHO also estimates that 2.6 million deaths worldwide were attributable to alcohol consumption in 2019. People aged between 20 and 39 accounted for the highest proportion of alcohol-attributable deaths among age groups.
Alcohol abuse can also affect the people surrounding the individual. Families may experience conflict and financial difficulties, while communities can be affected by alcohol-related violence, injuries and other social problems.
For young people, the concern is particularly important because alcohol use can affect their education, relationships and decision-making.
A parent from Laudium, Lauren Martins, said, “I think young people are exposed to alcohol at a very early age, and sometimes they do not understand the consequences of their actions. Parents need to talk to their children about alcohol and explain that drinking can affect their education, relationships and future. It cannot only be the responsibility of schools or the police.”
The parent believes that preventing alcohol abuse requires involvement from families as well as institutions responsible for education and law enforcement.
One of the most serious consequences of alcohol use is impaired driving.
Alcohol can affect concentration, coordination and judgement, increasing the risk of road crashes. According to WHO, the risk of being involved in a road traffic crash increases when a person drives after consuming alcohol.
The consequences can extend beyond the driver to passengers, pedestrians, cyclists and other motorists.
A second parent from Atteridgeville, Lebogang Seela, said drinking and driving can have devastating consequences for families.
“Drinking and driving is frightening because one person’s decision can affect an entire family. You may think you are fine to drive after drinking, but your judgment can already be affected. I believe there needs to be more awareness in communities so that people understand that getting behind the wheel after drinking puts everyone on the road at risk,” he said.
The concern reflects the City’s focus on combining education with enforcement.
MMC Coetzee said educating residents about alcohol abuse was important because people needed to understand the consequences of their actions before harm occurred.
WHO similarly identifies drink-driving countermeasures, including enforcement and public awareness, as important tools for reducing alcohol-related road harm.
While parents have a role to play in educating young people, students themselves can also face social pressures surrounding alcohol.
Peer pressure can influence young people’s decisions, particularly when drinking is presented as a way of fitting in with friends or social groups.
A student from Tshwane University of Technology, Buhlebethu Nkosi, said, “As a student, I think peer pressure can play a big role because young people sometimes drink because they want to fit in with their friends. More conversations about the effects of alcohol would help because some young people only realise how serious it can be after something has already happened.”
The student’s comments highlight the importance of having conversations about alcohol before young people experience its consequences themselves.
Schools, parents and community organisations can play a role in creating spaces where young people can ask questions and learn about the risks associated with alcohol without relying only on enforcement after problems occur.
The Tshwane-Aware.org partnership demonstrates an effort to address alcohol abuse through public education, but the issue extends beyond one awareness campaign or roadblock.
The City said it was committed to consistently educating residents about alcohol abuse and road safety, rather than limiting awareness efforts to isolated campaigns.
Reducing alcohol-related harm requires continued involvement from families, schools, communities, law enforcement and health services.
For parents and young people, the message is that understanding the consequences of alcohol abuse is an important part of preventing those consequences from affecting individuals, families and communities.
