QUESTION 4(20)

South Africa is struggling against the rising tide of drug use, especially among the youth of our country. Recent statistics are hard to come by, however, the latest report from the South African Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (SACENDU) shows that an alarming 21-28% of patients treated for substance abuse in 2016-7 were under the age of 20 years old - and those are merely the figures of people who have undergone treatment, not taking into account the many who never make it to this point. An article from last year cites South Africans as among the top 10 narcotics and alcohol abusers in the world, also stating that a previous SACENDU report* said that the average age of experimentation in South Africa is 12 years old. Yes, that means that children start experimenting with drugs and alcohol in primary school, already. Though worrying, it makes ones wonder what causes lead children to experiment with drugs, and what the effects that drugs have on their health - both mental and physical, education and future. More importantly, what is being done to curb these

disturbing numbers, and potentially put a stop to a practice that is detrimental to the future generations of the country.

Source: http://www.alcosafe.co.za/In-the-News/View-Article-Detail/ArticleId/50/Tackling-the-rising-drug- problem-in-South-Africa-s-youth

4.1.Identify the research problems in the case study and develop an appropriate problem statement.

(11)

Develop at least three (3) research objectives flowing logically from the problem statement you