Intervention strategies used to address alcohol abuse in the North West Province, South Africa

Abstract

Alcohol abuse has been reported as a major concern and is a source of social and economic problems in many developing countries such as South Africa (Monteiro, 2001:98; WHO, 2014:1). The Minister of Social Development (South Africa), Ms B. Dlamini states that ""the emotional and psychological impacts on families, the high levels of crime and other social ills have left many communities under siege by the scale of alcohol and drugs"" (National Drug Master Plan, 2013–2017:2). Alcohol abuse places a burden on the social, economic and health wellbeing of drinkers as well as their support networks. WHO (2008:1) support this statement that harmful drinking leads to negative health and social consequences for the user, the people around the user and society at large. These negative effects of alcohol abuse have to be reduced or eliminated.