PROTECTING STUDENTS AGAINST CRIME, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, AND GBV

By Morapedi Sibeko

• As the new academic year gets underway, the transition to campus life presents students with new challenges, such as increased independence, academic stress, and unfamiliar social environments, which can lead them to seek comfort in drugs or alcohol.
• It is with this in mind, that the Department of Social Development runs an annual awareness campaign on several tertiary campuses across South Africa.
• Reaching young students is important as the human brain is still developing so substance use before the age of 25 can be particularly dangerous, raising the chance of mental health problems, hazardous behaviours, and cognitive impairment, the department’s social work policy manager Motshabi Nkoane says.

Substance abuse among students in institutions of higher learning has become a growing concern, with research highlighting that university environments often expose students to new forms of substance use.

The transition to campus life presents new challenges, such as increased independence, academic stress, and unfamiliar social environments, which can lead students to seek comfort in substance use.

According to a 2022 article published by BMC Psychology called Prevalence and factors associated with substance use among university students in South Africa: implications for prevention, institutions of higher learning have developed a reputation for inducing new substance use among students.

Acknowledging this trend, the Department of Social Development conducts awareness campaigns at various institutions each year. The theme for this year is “Protect Students Against Crime, Substance Abuse, and GBV”.

The department’s social work policy manager, Motshabi Nkoane, emphasises the importance of protecting students, given universities are part of the larger community and are not exempt from the risks associated with addiction.

Addiction is classified as a disease because it affects reward, stress, and self-control circuits in the brain. The World Health Organisation describes it as a chronic, relapsing disorder that is defined by compulsive drug seeking and use despite negative consequences.

Nkoane, who is in charge of anti-substance abuse, has more than 20 years of experience dealing with issues of substance abuse.

“As the human brain is still developing, substance use before the age of 25 is especially dangerous. Substance use during this crucial time can affect brain function for a long time, raising the chance of mental health problems, hazardous behaviours, and cognitive impairment”, says Nkoane.

“Substance abuse has a significant negative influence on students, frequently upsetting both their academic and personal lives,” she adds.

Many young people who start using drugs find it difficult to meet their academic standards, which often leads to them dropping out of tertiary studies.

Drugs have a negative effect on memory, focus, and general cognitive functioning, making it difficult to do well in school.

Over and above the normal challenges of learning, substance abuse is strongly associated with an increase in crime and gender-based violence. Students are in much higher danger when drugs and alcohol are present since they frequently lead to aggressive conduct, social crime, and heightened susceptibility to violence.

Tertiary students are increasingly exposed to a variety of substances, frequently in the name of stress reduction or social trends, despite being aware of the detrimental consequences these substances may have on their physical and mental health.

Hookah pipes, commonly known as Hubbly Bubbly, are often seen as a harmless social activity. However, they are highly addictive and have severe effects on the respiratory system. The Cancer Association of South Africa warns that the use of hookah pipes significantly increases the risk of developing cancer.

Alcohol is another widely used substance among students.

According to research by Harvard Health, alcohol consumption negatively impacts memory, learning, and decision-making.

Nkoane emphasises that alcohol abuse also heightens the risk of contracting sexually-transmitted infections and HIV due to risky behaviour because of impaired judgment.

E-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes are also prevalent among students, with many under the impression that vaping is less harmful, cautions Nkoane. The World Health Organisation also warns that e-cigarettes are not a safe alternative to smoking, as they expose users to toxic substances that can lead to respiratory diseases and cardiovascular issues.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control, the aerosol from e-cigarettes contains dangerous chemicals that can cause cancer, heavy metals, and volatile organic compounds, all of which can seriously affect lung health.

Prescription and over-the-counter medications, including sleeping pills, are misused beyond their intended medical usage. When used improperly or in excess, these drugs can seriously interfere with sleep cycles, resulting in chronic insomnia or irregular sleep cycles. Cognitive processes that are essential for academic success, like memory recall, problem-solving skills, and general mental alertness, are also impacted.

The pressure to excel academically, meet deadlines, and balance responsibilities can become overwhelming, pushing some students to turn to substances as a coping mechanism.

Nkoane adds that curiosity and the desire to experiment with new experiences can contribute to substance use, with students often underestimating the potential risks and long-term consequences.

“To the students being a thinker rather than a drinker is crucial,” says Nkoane.

The annual campaign run by the Department of Social Development at the various tertiary institutions is to inform students of the dangers of substance usage, offer resources for support, and encourage healthy alternatives to substance use as part of the campaign.

Awareness programmes such as the department’s “Protect Students Against Crime, Substance Abuse, and GBV” are essential interventions.

For young people to succeed academically and personally without having to deal with addiction and its aftereffects, it is essential to change the culture surrounding substance use.