Drugs and Social worker shortages are costing us young lives

 24 March 2016

The tragic death of two KwaMashu pupils and the hospitalisation of 32 other pupils following ingestion of an unknown drug at a party over the weekend is further evidence of the perpetual degeneration caused by drugs in our society that is only compounded by the Department of Social Development (DSD) who refuses to ensure that there are enough social workers to stave off tragedies such as this. 

The DA calls for a collaborated intervention between the Department of Basic Education, The Department of Social Development, the local police as well as aligned government departments and agencies tasked with ensuring safe and secure teaching and learning spaces, to investigate and act accordingly to ensure that this incident is not commonplace in schools across the country. We also call on the Department of Social Development to make good on their promise to the 2 504 social workers who remain unemployed, despite being promised work by a department who inexplicably sent back R2 billion to Treasury unspent.

This incident once again brings to attention the need to increase the number of social workers in our communities, and specifically in our schools. Although the National Development Plan (NDP) states that a total of 60 000 welfare service practitioners will be needed by 2030 to meet South Africa’s social welfare needs, in October 2014, the Minister of Social Development, Bathabile Dlamini advised that there were only 17 441 operational social workers in the country - less than a third of what is needed. 

As the Department continues to fall short of its own set goals, the poor youth of South Africa continue to struggle for a decent life in underserviced communities and schools. 

South Africa’s pervasive drug problem, especially in schools, appears to be on the rise. Our schools have high rates of substance abuse and thousands of our children are continuously surrendered to societal ills by an uncaring government that prioritises its comfort over their needs. The perpetual denialism of government over the condition of communities across the country is costing us young lives. 

The DA will not stand idly by and allow the most vulnerable in our society to continue to suffer as a result of an uncaring government that has failed to grow the economy, create jobs, and prioritise the needs of the poor. We will continue to be a voice for the voiceless and ensure that government is held accountable, and fulfills its duty to care and support the people of South Africa. 

Issued by Bridget Masango, DA Shadow Minister of Social Development, 24 March 2016