Underage drinking a major youth problem in SA

The Weekend View

Research conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council in 2022 found that 30% of South Africans between the age 16 and older consumed alcohol. However, 90% of these drinkers engaged in binge drinking, meaning they sometimes consumed four or more drinks in one sitting. Meanwhile, non-profit organisation, Aware.org says 50% of teenagers in South Africa drink alcohol. One of the organisation's studies also showed that someone who starts drinking under the age of 18, which is illegal, is four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than someone who starts consuming booze after the age of 20. The Organisation is now taking this opportunity to address the critical issues affecting the youth with the special focus on underage drinking. To discuss this Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Lebogang Mashigo, Senior programmes manager at Aware.org