As South Africa enters the festive season—a time traditionally marked by celebration, travel, and family gatherings—the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) has issued a critical, evidence-based plea. The call for young people to avoid alcohol and substance abuse is not merely moralistic advice; it is a public health imperative rooted in stark seasonal data and the nation’s broader social challenges.
The department highlights a dangerous paradox: while this period promises “celebration, rest and social connection,” it also creates a perfect storm for risky behaviours. Reduced routine, increased social pressure, heightened availability of substances, and travel-related stress collectively lower inhibitions and escalate danger. What begins as festive joy can, with alarming frequency, spiral into irreversible tragedy.
“[It] is a period that consistently records increased levels of alcohol and substance abuse, which contribute to road accidents, crime, family conflict, unsafe sexual behaviour, and heightened incidents of gender-based violence and femicide,” the department states. This isn’t hypothetical. Statistics from previous years from entities like the Road Traffic Management Corporation and the South African Police Service show clear spikes in trauma cases, violent assaults, and fatal crashes during December and January, with intoxication being a predominant factor.
“These outcomes stand in direct contradiction to the government’s commitment to protecting young people and building safe, cohesive communities,” the department said, framing substance abuse not as a personal failing but as a systemic threat to national well-being.
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The department grounds its appeal in two key national frameworks: the National Drug Master Plan (NDMP) and the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP on GBVF). These are not abstract policies but blueprints for action. The NDMP explicitly recognises substance abuse as a “major social and public health challenge that disproportionately affects young people and undermines social stability, economic participation and community safety.” The economic cost is staggering, burdening healthcare, criminal justice, and social support systems, while the human cost derails potential and devastates families.
“Alcohol and drug abuse fuel risky behaviour, violence and long-term dependency, placing an enormous burden on families, communities and the state,” the statement continues. This is particularly acute for youth, whose developing brains are more vulnerable to addiction and whose life trajectories can be permanently altered by a single poor decision made under the influence.
The link to gender-based violence is especially critical. “The [NSP] on GBVF identifies alcohol and substance abuse as key drivers of violence, particularly violence against women, children and persons with disabilities,” the department notes. This is not correlation without causation. Intoxicants impair judgment, reduce empathy, increase aggression, and are often used as tools for coercion. “Evidence continues to show a strong correlation between substance abuse and incidents of domestic violence, sexual offences and other forms of gender-based harm, especially during high-risk periods such as the festive season.” Understanding this link is essential for prevention.
The DWYPD’s call to action is directed and nuanced. It urges all young people to “make responsible choices, to reject harmful behaviours, and to actively contribute to the prevention of violence and substance abuse.” It delivers a specific charge to young men: “Young men, in particular, are encouraged to embrace positive masculinity, respect and non-violence, and to stand as allies in the fight against GBVF.” This moves beyond simple abstinence, advocating for a proactive culture of peer accountability and positive role modeling.
The responsibility does not lie with youth alone. The department calls on parents, guardians, and communities to “intensify prevention efforts, provide guidance and support to young people, and promote alcohol- and drug-free recreational activities.” This could mean organizing community sports events, safe social spaces, or simply initiating open, non-judgmental conversations about the risks and pressures of the season.
“Preventing substance abuse and GBVF requires a whole-of-society approach, as envisioned in both the NDMP and the NSP on GBVF,” the statement asserts. This means law enforcement, healthcare providers, educators, community leaders, families, and individuals all have a role to play in creating a protective environment.
In conclusion, the department frames the choice as foundational to the nation’s future: “Responsible behaviour by young people is central to achieving the goals of a safer South Africa, free from violence, substance abuse and preventable loss of life.” The final appeal is collective: “As the country enters the festive season, the DWYPD appeals to all South Africans to work together to ensure that this period is marked by safety, dignity, respect for human life and shared responsibility.” The message is clear: a truly joyful festive season is a safe and conscious one, built on choices that protect ourselves and each other.