Saturday night’s chaos at the Umdlalo Wamagedlela taxi stance show in Mdantsane is yet another reminder of the urgent need to address the issue of underage drinking among teenagers.
Hundreds of motor enthusiasts flocked to the Sisa Dukashe Stadium where taxi owners, drivers and residents showed off their customised vehicles.
It was billed as a night of family fun but it was overshadowed by minors openly consuming alcohol.
Some were allegedly consuming “lean” or “purple drank”, a codeine-based cough syrup mixed with soft drink.
Parents in Mthatha recently called for stricter regulation and oversight of cough syrups, citing an increase in use of this highly addictive drink among teenagers.
Neighbours spoke of young people vomiting outside their homes on Saturday evening.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution but one thing is very clear: families and communities cannot be absolved of responsibility
These reports are not uncommon. We have heard similar accounts in the past from homeowners who have witnessed drunk and disorderly behaviour after school sporting events, or at the beachfront when pupils celebrate the end of term.
The continued occurrence of underage drinking is troubling. June 26 marked three years since the Enyobeni tavern tragedy where 21 young people — many of them underage — died.
The deaths made international headlines and spurred authorities into action, yet underage drinking remains a widespread issue.
A study by the Association for Alcohol Responsibility and Education (Aware.org) found that 19.9% have had a drink before the age of 13, while more than a third of youth had consumed alcohol. The reasons vary, but peer pressure was one of the key factors raised.
It further found that schools, media and communication platforms play an important role in shaping young people’s understanding of alcohol abuse and awareness.
Organisers of Saturday’s stance show spoke of how they struggled to maintain order, confiscating alcohol from underage attendees. Some arrived drunk and had to be escorted out.
We have to confront the issue of underage drinking head-on; not only through stricter regulations and enforcement of laws but also through dialogues about the dangers of alcohol and the responsibilities that come with growing up.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution but one thing is very clear: families and communities cannot be absolved of responsibility.
It isn’t just a health issue, it is a safety concern as well. Teenagers stammering around drunk can fall prey to criminals lying in wait.
It is not enough to simply enforce laws; we must change the cultural attitudes surrounding alcohol consumption and provide education and support to both the youth and parents.
Daily Dispatch
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