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When it comes to substance abuse statistics, there is always some sort of controversy as to exactly what is going on because, quite frankly, no one likes to admit there is a problem within their communities. All around the globe it is the same and there will always be those who dispute facts staring them right in the eye. Such is the case with a recent article published on africacheck.org and many experts such as Per Wickstrom, renowned owner of a series of United States rehabilitation programs, say that 15% is about average on a global level. Why dispute it? Many experts say it makes no sense to dispute a figure consistent with international norms.
Substance Abuse Is Not Limited to Illicit Street Drugs
When checking facts on substance abuse, many organizations only account for the abuse of illicit street drugs such as heroin, methamphetamine or cocaine along with dozens of ‘designer drugs’ that have hit the streets. Substance abuse should also account for addiction to alcohol and prescribed medications as well and these are figures too many agencies fail to factor into their statistics. In fact, there is a global trend of addiction to legally prescribed drugs within the opioid and benzodiazapams families of narcotics and those figures are all too often unaccounted for.
Why Not Trust the Real Experts?
Per Wickstrom remarks that society has a way of distrusting what the real experts have to say on such things as substance abuse, crime rates and poverty. This is never more evident than when websites like Africa Check set out to dispute the facts behind the figures. As an expert in the field, a pharmacology lecturer and South Africa’s Central Drug Authority deputy chair, David Bayever was quoted as saying that 15% of South Africans are currently facing drug addiction and that this figure is expected to continue rising. Africa Check cited old findings, more than a decade old, and of course those figures are expected to change within a ten year period. As a person who lectures on the subject and is deputy chair of a national program, his information is probably consistent with current research and surveys in the field.
Accuracy Is Not the Issue at Hand
According to global experts such as Per Wickstrom, accuracy is probably only off + or – a couple percentage points. For example, in the United States illicit drug use accounts for 9.4% of all substance abuse and when alcohol and prescription medications are factored in, that figure would realistically jump even higher than 15% of the population. While even 1% is too much, according to Wickstrom, that 15% figure is not unbelievable and if, as Africa Check claims, there have been no recent studies, why? Substance abuse is a global epidemic and it is incumbent upon leaders to be apprised of current facts and figures. Substance abuse is a disease that kills individuals and cripples society. Unless you have all the facts you can’t begin to devise a treatment plan.
Regardless to say, substance abuse is an epidemic of global proportions so there is no need to dispute the fact that South Africa is also touched by the disease. What should be happening is further research and an increase in spending for better and more efficient treatment programs because, as Wickstrom points out, even one out of a hundred is bad. Ten out of 100 is worse and 15% is an epidemic. Find out exactly what those figures are and then seek to find the resources to offer treatment. There is no disputing the fact that substance abuse is a real problem so instead of quibbling over a couple percentage points, seek solutions for treating the problem.
