South Africans must go off the booze - ANCYL

THE ANC YOUTH LEAGUE CALLS ON THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE ABUSE OF DRUGS, ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCES:

The African National Congress Youth League re-affirms its position on the complete illegalisation of alcohol advertisements in all media channels, including Television, Radio, Newspapers, Magazines and Billboards. The call for the banning of alcohol advertisements is linked to the Youth League's broader campaign to reduce the consumption and abuse of alcohol, drugs and substances in our communities. We will soon be meeting with the Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa

The abuse of intoxicating substances and alcohol in particular does not only negatively impact the wellbeing of the individuals consuming them, but distorts society and leads to other grave social ills such as crime, rapid spread of HIV/AIDS, poor health, low success rates in education, etc.

The ANC 52nd National Conference political report quoted a government scientific survey which read:

"Accordingly, in the past five years the areas with the greatest number of violent crimes were identified as those that are poor and economically depressed. These areas, which account for more than 50% of violent crime in South Africa comprise only 169 police station-areas out of 1 136 police station-areas in the country.  The socio-economic profile of these areas is similar. There are few recreational facilities. Unemployment is high. There are many dysfunctional families. There are many shebeens and other alcohol outlets and the levels of substance abuse are very high".

Further than that, the Medical Research Council's Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Council scientifically say that the effects of alcohol dependence include the following:

• Alcohol misuse is causally implicated in a range of chronic health problems (e.g. cirrhosis of the liver). However, many of the primary effects of alcohol misuse occur from episodes of acute alcohol intoxication.
• Acute alcohol intoxication is associated with increased mortality and morbidity arising from intentional and non-intentional injuries.
• Acute alcohol intoxication is also associated with unsafe sexual practices and increased risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease.
• Alcohol misuse, combined with poor nutritional status, increases susceptibility to opportunistic diseases by compromising the immune system.
• The misuse of alcohol during pregnancy has been linked to fetal alcohol syndrome in infants.
• Alcohol misuse also impacts on the criminal justice system, with evidence of associations between drinking at risky levels, committing crime, or being a victim of crime.

Against these realities, South Africa cannot continue to celebrate alcohol and normalise it as part of our society. Coupled with the illegalisation of alcohol advertisement, the ANC YL will advocate for the following as decisive interventions to stop the free flow of alcohol in our communities:

Call for increased levels of law enforcement on illegal alcohol and drugs traders, including those who sell alcohol to people under the age of 18.

Call for greater investment in sporting, arts and recreational activities and facilities in communities and set a programme to attract more young people to partake in these activities.

Form partnerships with relevant government departments in the intensification of the campaign against alcohol, drugs and substance abuse.

Call for establishment of youth-friendly rehabilitation centres and programmes in communities to revive youth that are addicted to drugs and alcohol. 

Campaign for a legislative intervention on the number of years young people are eligible to buy alcohol, with a focus of increasing the number of years from 18 to 21.

Call for immediate legislation on the illegalisation of Liquor Outlets closer to schools and institutions of higher learning.

The ANC Youth League will stop at nothing in ensuring that alcohol consumption in South Africa is radically reduced and all alcohol regulations and laws are properly enforced by our law enforcement agencies. We need a broader coalition of all stakeholders, including Unions, Civil Society formations, Non-governmental organisations, Community based organisations, Churches, Social Clubs and private individuals to join the campaign against alcohol, drugs and substances.

The ANC YOUTH LEAGUE CALLS ON THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN BEING PARTNERS TO THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST ALCOHOL, DRUGS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE TO CONTACT THE ANC YOUTH HEAD OFFICE.

Statement issued by the ANC Youth League, November 4 2009

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That's rich........ Coming from Floyd and Co. U got an uncle in the comedy business Julius and Floyd. by Juju on November 04 2009, 17:03 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

ALCOHOL FREE GENERATION In our quest to build an ALCOHOL and DRUG FREE SOCIETY. The ANCYL and other MDM structures should be at the centre and rally behind this and lead by example. LET'S PRACTICE WHAT WE PREACH COMRADES. A LUTA CONTINUA by LG Yekani on November 04 2009, 22:04 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Huh! Will the drunken-party fan Malema lead the charge? by selcool on November 05 2009, 06:26 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@ drunken ANCYL This decision was no doubt arrived at the morning after a very expensive night of Johhny Walker Blue and Cuban cigars!! Keep Walking T***-lice! by Richard on November 05 2009, 07:34 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE ABUSE OF DRUGS, ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCES vs The Addiction Action Campaign The Addiction Action Campaign welcomes the ANCYL's new stance on the abuse of drugs, alcohol and other substances and are joining the national debate regarding the future of alcohol advertising. However, we, The Addiction Action Campaign, . .more emphasise that the problem of addiction is not restricted to drugs, alcohol and other substances. An alcoholic will drink until he passes out, but a compulsive gambler will remain in the casino until he has lost his entire pay packet and has nothing to take home to pay for rent, food and clothing. Addiction as an issue cannot be adequately dealt with if only certain selected addictive agents are targeted for attention. Compulsive behaviours are as much addiction as are compulsive consumption. Furthermore, we, The Addiction Action Campaign, also emphasise that that given the scope of the addiction problem in South Africa no one political party can hope to achieve success in bringing about sobriety and success for the nation. As such we welcome the support of all political parties, trades unions, industries and civil society organisations in our campaign to free South Africa from the slavery of addiction although we can obviously not endorse any of our partners for their commitment to their own objectives. We as an apolitical organisation can therefore not endorse the ANCYL. www.aac.org.za . .less by Bill Rogers - Executive Director, Addiction Action Campaign on November 05 2009, 11:25 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

THE ANC YOUTH LEAGUE CALLS ON THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE ABUSE OF DRUGS, ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCES Please also see our memorandum of demands which we handed over to the "addiction industry" on 30 October, at a protest we held outside SAB Miller in Sandton. The AAC's constitution does not allow us to support or endorse and political party, . .more company, organisation or individual. However, we would like the ANCYL to endorse our campaign as has been done so far by NEHAWU. http://www.facebook.com/notes.php?ref=sb#/notes.php?id=783259074 We are now moving towards strengthening our relationships with all of the UNIONS who make up COSATU as well as with all other political parties, individuals or companies who support our initiative. We would however wish to encourage the ANCYL to raise this initiative's consciousness to the level of the addiction epidemic which S.A finds itself in. 15% of South Africans are officially problem drug users. This figure does not however include the worldwide recognized addictions of gambling, pornography or sex which are not substances. We look forward to engaging with the ANCYL in this matter. http://www.aac.org.za . .less by Warren Whitfield - Chairperson, Addiction Action Campaign on November 05 2009, 13:03 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Hypocrisy at its BEST! .. recalling that the Youth League conference in Bloemfontein where Julius Malema was eventually elected leader was delayed for days due to the drunkenness of the members. ... and not forgetting Malema's boozy housewarming party. "Do . .more what I say and not what I do", ne?? . .less by Saffer on November 05 2009, 14:42 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

about time I agree with the ANCYL. The entire country is drunk most of the time.How can one move forward if every tom, D*** and sipho is pissed most days after 4pm and most weekends.It is time to stop this drug abuse which is what it is.Legalised drug abuse. by RT on November 06 2009, 15:38 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

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