I think the trend towards alcohol and drug abuse deserves serious strategies. I find it repugnant to see young people being destroyed by drug pushers.

I think the trend towards alcohol and drug abuse deserves serious strategies. I find it repugnant to see young people being destroyed by drug pushers.

The youth of South Africa interpret freedom incorrectly.

Freedom means working very hard and making something of one's life. Itdoes not mean abusing drugs then senselessly justifying it as, "it's my life" or "it's a free country".

There is an increase in drug and alcohol use among young people.

Alcohol and drug abuse have also been blamed for the distressing rate of crime and violence in our country.

Research shows that people who abuse drugs and alcohol are also more prone to committing suicide.

With this scenario in mind, let's look into the future of our country.

What will become of these young people in the next 30 years?

I think we still have time to engage the youth in anti-drug and anti-alcohol campaigns, to build a better South Africa with productive young people whose lives will not be destroyed by these vices.

Government initiatives should be implemented to reinforce regulations on the minimum legal age of access to alcohol.

Let us champion strategies on minimising substance abuse in general.

Themba Thobela, Mkhuhlu