MELINDA FERGUSON interviewed Alex Hamlyn, head of substance abuse treatment and a drug counsellor at Houghton House
HAMLYN defines addiction as an illness or disease, identified by a loss of control over the amount of drugs used. The individual’s continued use of the substance, despite negative consequences, further identifies the illness.
”The age of onset of addiction is definitely dropping. The drugs available today are rapidly changing. Five to 10 years ago the drugs of choice were mainly alcohol, dagga and mandrax. Today there is a huge increase in availability of hard drugs like heroin, crack, Ecstasy, LSD.
”Many of the younger addicts treated at the house started using dagga and alcohol and continued experimenting with the harder drugs, developing serious substance abuse problems. Addiction is a progressive disease. I’ve had inquiries from a 10-year-old heroin addict.” Although this is not the norm, there is definite evidence that addiction is affecting youth in a big way: statistics show that between 60 and 95% of matric students have experimented with drugs.
Although Hamlyn believes that people have a predisposition to addiction, social pressures in South Africa today like the crime crisis, unemployment and a generally insecure environment, all contribute to many young people looking for ways to ”escape”, to alleviate the pressure.
”Rave culture has taken great strides in normalising drug use. It’s played a role in encouraging young people to experiment. In the 1960s people dropped a cap of acid and smoked a joint. Today teenagers take two Es (Ecstacy) and cuddle everybody. But we can’t blame people who are putting on raves, as they are meeting a need that is obviously there. People wouldn’t go to raves if they didn’t want to.”
”Modern day icons like Kurt Cobain and River Phoenix, who died in drug-related incidents, also play an important role in normalising drugs, making their use somewhat ‘hip’. Teenagers idealise and identify with these figures. They are seen as romantic somewhat glamorous people, reflecting society’s ideals. Somehow the fact that they die young and gorgeous adds to their allure. But there are obvious consequences to say Cobain’s lifestyle — he blew his head off. The answer isn’t to ban drugs. The answer is greater awareness and taking personal responsibility.”
With the use and abuse of drugs on the increase among the youth today, the negative consequences are frightening: ” It is proven that substance abuse stunts emotional development. People don’t develop adequate coping mechanisms. Self-centered, hedonistic value systems replace normal functioning strategies. Serious physical problems like psychosis, overdose, dehydration, septicaemia, toxicity, poisoning, brain impairment and death are harsh consequences of substance abuse.”
Hamlyn advises parents, friends or teachers who have to deal with children with substance abuse problems to get as much information as possible on drugs and addiction. ”Talk to your children. Keep lines of communication open. Talk to an expert who knows about substance abuse. A lot of times parents alienate children by using the wrong strategies. The reality is that kids are going to come across drugs. Parents and teachers have a responsibility to educate themselves. The problem is not going to go away.”
— The Teacher/Mail & Guardian, June 5, 2000.
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