Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / The purpose of this study was to determine and describe the lived experiences of youth residing in Elias Motsoaledi Municipality at Sekhukhune District about Nyaope. A qualitative research was applied using the Phenomenolgical research design to explore the lived experiences. The purposive sampling technique was used to select the participants at Rite Substance organization between the age of 18 and 35, and also the convenient sampling applied to select key informants. The study revealed that the youth Nyaope users experienced; the lived physical effects such as ;bodily weakness and strenght, bodily pains, drowsiness, loss of appetite and poor hygiene, the psychological effects such as mental relaxation, regret and worry, drug dependency and addiction, and the social effects such as family rejection, community stigmatization, relationship failure, engagement in crime, and economic and educational failure. As such, more funds, staff and resources are needed to assist in dealing with the Nyaope crisis.

Tsen Wai Sing. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 307-317). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgements --- p.v / Content --- p.vii / Chapter Chapter 1: --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter Section I: --- Theoretical models and Research Issues of Drug Addiction / Chapter Chapter 2: --- Theoretical models of Drug Addiction --- p.10 / Chapter 2.1 --- The concepts of ´بDrug Addiction' --- p.11 / Chapter 2.2 --- Drug Addiction Models --- p.13 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Moral Model --- p.13 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Disease Model --- p.14 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Psychoanalytic Approach --- p.15 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Social Learning Model --- p.16 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Socio-cultural Model --- p.17 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- Cognitive Model --- p.18 / Chapter 2.2.7 --- Identity Model --- p.19 / Chapter 2.3 --- "Symbolic Interactionism on ´بDeviant Identity´ة: Self, Identity and Transformation" --- p.20 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Five Central roles of Symbolic Interactionism --- p.21 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- The Nature of Self --- p.24 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- "Self-Communication, Self-perception, Self-Control and Identity" --- p.25 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Symbolic Interactionism in the study of 'Drug Addiction' --- p.28 / Chapter Chapter 3: --- The Research Issues on 'Drug Addiction' --- p.32 / Chapter 3.1 --- The ´بMyth´ة of Addiction --- p.32 / Chapter 3.2 --- ´بAddiction´ة as a Social and Contextual ´بLabel，？ --- p.35 / Chapter 3.3 --- The Paradox of ´بScientific，evidence on drug addiction --- p.36 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- ´بAddictive Substance' vs. 'Non-Addictive Substance' --- p.37 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Craving and Withdrawal: 'Have to' vs. ´بWant to' --- p.38 / Chapter 3.4 --- The Very Nature of Drug Problem --- p.40 / Chapter 3.5 --- A Theoretical basis for the Research Concern on Religious Discourses in formulating Addicts ´ة Identity --- p.41 / Chapter Section II: --- General Figure of Local Youth Drug Abuse and Drug Rehabilitation / Chapter Chapter 4: --- Present Situation of Youth Drug Addiction in Hong Kong --- p.46 / Chapter 4.1 --- General Historical Background of Drug Addiction in Hong Kong --- p.47 / Chapter 4.2 --- Recent Trend of Drug Addiction in Hong Kong --- p.49 / Chapter 4.3 --- Recent Youth Drug Addiction Profile - the Rise of Psychotropic Substances --- p.51 / Chapter 4.4 --- Youth Attitudes on Drug Addiction --- p.53 / Chapter 4.5 --- Rave Culture' and Psychotropic Drugs Addiction --- p.55 / Chapter 4.6 --- Cross Border Drug Addiction in Youth Community --- p.57 / Chapter Chapter 5: --- Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation - Principles and Practices --- p.61 / Chapter 5.1 --- Treatment Goals in Rehabilitation --- p.61 / Chapter 5.2 --- The Ultimate Goal of Treatment: Recovery --- p.62 / Chapter 5.3 --- Major Treatment Modes --- p.64 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Detoxification --- p.64 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Outpatient Drug-free Treatment --- p.64 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Self-help Groups --- p.65 / Chapter 5.3.4 --- Methadone Maintenance --- p.65 / Chapter 5.3.5 --- Residential Treatment --- p.66 / Chapter 5.4 --- Treatments and Rehabilitation in Hong Kong --- p.68 / Chapter 5.4.1 --- Methadone Treatment Program in Hong Kong --- p.68 / Chapter 5.4.2 --- Compulsory Drug Treatment Scheme --- p.69 / Chapter 5.4.3 --- Voluntary Residential Treatment and Rehabilitation Programs --- p.70 / Chapter 5.4.4 --- Substance Abuse Clinics --- p.73 / Chapter 5.5 --- Religion-based Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation --- p.73 / Chapter Section III: --- Lifestyle Changes in the Research Field / Chapter Chapter 6: --- Research Field and Methodology --- p.76 / Chapter 6.1 --- Why study Christianity drug rehabilitation? --- p.76 / Chapter 6.2 --- Why choosing the Christian New Being Fellowship (CNBF)? --- p.78 / Chapter 6.3 --- Getting into the field --- p.79 / Chapter 6.4 --- Basic Information about Christian New Being Fellowship --- p.81 / Chapter 6.4.1 --- Historical Background of the CNBF --- p.82 / Chapter 6.4.2 --- Treatment Stages in the CNBF --- p.83 / Chapter 6.4.3 --- Training Programs in the CNBF --- p.86 / Chapter 6.4.4 --- Recently development of anti-drug campaign in the CNBF --- p.87 / Chapter 6.5 --- Methodology --- p.88 / Chapter 6.5.1 --- Participant Observation --- p.91 / Chapter 6.5.2 --- In-depth Interviews: the CNBF trainees --- p.95 / Chapter 6.5.3 --- "In-depth Interviews: Ex-addicts helper, preacher and social workers" --- p.96 / Chapter Chapter 7 --- Getting Started --- p.99 / Chapter 7.1 --- ´بBartering，-the Start --- p.99 / Chapter 7.2 --- Detoxification period - Involuntary Stay in Rehabilitation Camp --- p.102 / Chapter 7.3 --- ´بScheduled life´ة in the CNBF --- p.104 / Chapter 7.4 --- Life with Limited Resources --- p.108 / Chapter Chapter 8: --- A Dull Life --- p.112 / Chapter 8.1 --- ´بStandardization´ة of living --- p.113 / Chapter 8.2 --- Detachment from Outside World --- p.114 / Chapter 8.3 --- Jail is better than here！´ة --- p.116 / Chapter 8.4 --- ´بNo more pretty girls!' --- p.118 / Chapter 8.5 --- ´بBeware of what you speak！´ة --- p.121 / Chapter 8.6 --- Religious Practices - the core hardness? --- p.122 / Chapter 8.7 --- Responsibilities in Everyday life --- p.125 / Chapter 8.8 --- ´بWe can tackle...´ة --- p.127 / Chapter Section IV: --- Discursive Strategy in the Rehabilitation Camp / Chapter Chapter 9 --- Ways to Tackle --- p.129 / Chapter 9.1 --- ´بYou are not in-group！， --- p.129 / Chapter 9.2 --- To be a member of the ´بin-group， --- p.135 / Chapter 9.3 --- Ways to Tackle --- p.138 / Chapter 9.3.1 --- The main principle: Identify ´بWho can help?， --- p.139 / Chapter 9.3.2 --- A Preliminary Try: How to get the body care products I want? --- p.140 / Chapter 9.3.3 --- "´بYou can get cigarettes, soft drinks and cup noodles here!'" --- p.141 / Chapter 9.3.4 --- The technique of smoking in the CNBF --- p.142 / Chapter 9.3.5 --- Singing pop songs - A ´بsoft´ة way of tackle and opposition --- p.143 / Chapter 9.3.6 --- To get contact with outside world --- p.144 / Chapter 9.3.7 --- Tackle with the boring assembly and biblical studies --- p.144 / Chapter 9.3.8 --- Last way to tackle: Run Away! --- p.145 / Chapter 9.4 --- Ways to Tackle: An 'Underground Community' threatens the Fellowship Health --- p.146 / Chapter Chapter 10 --- In Response to Jesus --- p.149 / Chapter 10.1 --- The 'Underground Community' --- p.150 / Chapter 10.2 --- Study of Discourses in rehabilitation camp --- p.152 / Chapter 10.3 --- Theoretical Perspective in Discourse Analysis in Drug Rehabilitation Camp --- p.154 / Chapter 10.4 --- John Booth Davies (1997): Drugspeak --- p.156 / Chapter 10.5 --- Typology of Discourses in rehabilitation camp --- p.159 / Chapter 10.5.1 --- Let it go' discourse --- p.161 / Chapter 10.5.2 --- Destiny' discourse --- p.162 / Chapter 10.5.3 --- ´بFlexibility´ة discourse --- p.163 / Chapter 10.5.4 --- ´بGet through' discourse --- p.164 / Chapter 10.6 --- A Shrinking Private Space --- p.166 / Chapter 10.7 --- Possible explanation of the 'Ways to Tackle' --- p.167 / Chapter Section V: --- The Multiple Meanings of Drug Addiction / Chapter Chapter 11 --- Heroin，vs. “Non-heroin，Drug Experience --- p.173 / Chapter 11.1 --- Brief Review about the ten trainee informants --- p.176 / Chapter 11.2 --- Descriptions of 'Heroin' and 'Non-heroin' drug experience --- p.178 / Chapter 11.3 --- Descriptions on 'pleasant' effect of drugs --- p.180 / Chapter 11.4 --- The presence / absence of 'Withdrawal' symptoms --- p.181 / Chapter 11.5 --- The descriptions of 'Addiction' --- p.185 / Chapter 11.6 --- Non-volitional vs. Volitional nature of drug use --- p.187 / Chapter 11.7 --- ´بPhysiological Addiction'(身癮）vs. ´بPsychological Addiction' (心癮） --- p.190 / Chapter 11.8 --- Functional use vs. Non-functional use of drugs --- p.193 / Chapter 11.9 --- Positive vs. Negative attitude towards past drug experience --- p.196 / Chapter 11.10 --- Challenges to the Christianity Discourse --- p.199 / Chapter Chapter 12 --- The Meanings of 'Drug Addiction' --- p.202 / Chapter 12.1 --- The meanings of ´بDrug， --- p.203 / Chapter 12.1.1 --- ´بDrug´ة as the means of 'normal habitual use' --- p.204 / Chapter 12.1.2 --- Drug' is not necessarily 'harmful' --- p.206 / Chapter 12.1.3 --- ´بDrug，is only 'Devil' when it refers to ´بHeroin´ة --- p.208 / Chapter 12.2 --- The meanings of ´بAddiction´ة --- p.211 / Chapter 12.2.1 --- The definitions of 'Psychological Addiction' --- p.212 / Chapter 12.2.2 --- ´بAddiction，means 'Physical Dependence' and 'Withdrawal' --- p.216 / Chapter 12.2.3 --- ´بHeroin addiction´ة is the real ´بAddiction´ة --- p.217 / Chapter 12.2.4 --- "´بHeroin Addiction´ة is 'Sinful', but 'Psychological Addiction' is not" --- p.219 / Chapter 12.3 --- The preferred meaning of ´بDrug Addiction' --- p.221 / Chapter Chapter 13 --- The Practices of 'Love' and “Heal， --- p.223 / Chapter 13.1 --- Presenting the 'Love，and ´بHeal´ة --- p.225 / Chapter 13.1.1 --- Christianity as ´بa whole lifestyle change' --- p.226 / Chapter 13.1.2 --- Building up a ´بRole Model' --- p.228 / Chapter 13.1.3 --- Health and Legal Appeal --- p.230 / Chapter 13.1.4 --- ´بPrayer´ة as the most explicit demonstration --- p.232 / Chapter 13.1.5 --- ´بHuman Sin' and ´بHeal´ة as the core concept of Christianity --- p.233 / Chapter 13.2 --- Oppositional attitudes towards the Christianity --- p.237 / Chapter 13.2.1 --- Christianity as the set of ´بRules and Regulations' --- p.237 / Chapter 13.2.2 --- Christianity as ´بtoo mystic' --- p.239 / Chapter 13.2.3 --- Christianity as a ´بFunctional tool' for 'survival' --- p.240 / Chapter 13.2.4 --- Opposition to Health Appeal --- p.241 / Chapter 13.2.5 --- Oppositions to the Discourse of ´بSin' --- p.242 / Chapter 13.3 --- Christianity Discourse and ´بOut-dated Heroin Discourse' --- p.244 / Chapter 13.4 --- Christianity still functions --- p.249 / Chapter Chapter 14 --- Summary and Conclusion -Volitional Nature of Drug Use in New Generation --- p.253 / Chapter 14.1 --- Summary --- p.253 / Chapter 14.2 --- Symbolic Interactionsim and the Social Self --- p.263 / Chapter 14.3 --- Major Findings on 'Drug Addiction' --- p.266 / Chapter 14.4 --- Answers to Research Questions --- p.268 / Chapter 14.5 --- Limitations --- p.271 / Chapter 14.6 --- Implications --- p.273 / Appendix I - Socio-demographic profile of trainee informants and interview report --- p.278 / Appendix II 一 Socio-demographic profiles of the CNBF guides informants and interview report --- p.291 / Appendix III - A Selected Glossary of the CNBF trainees --- p.299 / Appendix VI - Interview schedule for the trainees informants --- p.301 / Appendix V - Interview schedule for the CNBF guides --- p.303 / Bibliography --- p.307

South Africa has experienced a notable increase in adolescent drug use during the country’s transition from apartheid to democracy (Central Drug Authority [CDA], 2006). These findings are verified by epidemiological studies and two national youth risk behaviour surveys, highlighting the need for effective drug prevention interventions. Whilst drug use spans across age, gender and social strata, the rapid increase in both legal and illicit drug use among adolescents in the Northern Areas communities of Port Elizabeth has been particularly pronounced. The South African Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (SACENDU) statistics, which reflects on racial demographics in accordance with the Population Registration Act of 1950 (South Africa, 1950), reports that, in the year 2011, the ‘Coloured’ population constituted 62 percent of those individuals seeking treatment for drug abuse, compared to 15 percent ‘African’ treatment seekers in Port Elizabeth (Dada, Plüddemann, Parry, Bhana, Vawda & Fourie, 2012:44). Furthermore, methamphetamine use by persons under the age of 20 years in Port Elizabeth increased fivefold in a three-year period, i.e. from 7 percent in 2008 to 39 percent in 2011 (Dada et al., 2012), with the ‘Coloured’ population group accounting for the majority of methamphetamine users. These statistics reinforce a long-standing racial stereotype that associates ‘Coloured’ racial identity with an enhanced susceptibility to drug use. The National Drug Master Plan (South Africa, 2012a), and the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act (Act no 70 of 2008) propose that drug prevention programmes should address the values, perceptions, expectations and beliefs that the community associates with drug abuse (South Africa, 2008b). This view emphasises the importance of drug preventions interventions that are culturally sensitive and contextually relevant. The current study was guided by two conceptual frameworks, i.e. the Social Constructionist Framework and the Ecological Risk/Protective Resilience Framework, and focused on the Northern Areas of Port Elizabeth, a historically marginalised community inhabited by a predominantly ‘Coloured’ indigenous/ethnic group. The goal of the study was to enhance understanding of the socio-cultural meaning attributed to cultural identity, drug use, non-use and drug prevention in the Northern Areas of Port Elizabeth, with the view to developing guidelines for drug prevention interventions that are culturally sensitive and contextually relevant. The following objectives were formulated in order to achieve the goal of the study: • To explore adolescent narratives regarding the constructs ‘Coloured’, drug use, non-use and drug prevention programmes of three distinct groups of adolescents (drug users, non-users, and TADA peer mentors) from the Northern Areas. • To explore and describe the social service practitioners’ (social workers and social auxiliary workers’) constructions of drug use, non-use and drug abuse prevention in relation to adolescents from the Northern Areas, and how such constructions inform the drug prevention services rendered to adolescents from these communities. • To review the data collected from the adolescent narratives and the social service practitioners’ reflections on their drug prevention programmes against existing theory and models for drug prevention. • To synthesise the above information with a view to developing guidelines for culturally sensitive drug prevention programmes relevant and responsive to the specific social constructions of adolescents from the Northern Areas. A qualitative research approach, located in a narrative tradition of inquiry research design, was employed to achieve the goal of the study (Riessman, 2008). The study was conducted in two phases. The first phase involved an empirical study with the four sample groups (i.e. adolescent drug users, adolescent non-drug users, Teenagers against Drug Abuse [TADA] peer mentors and social service professionals (i.e. social workers and social auxiliary workers)). Phase two involved the co-construction of the practice guidelines for culturally sensitive and contextually relevant drug prevention interventions. Phase one started with the informal exploration of community stakeholders’ views on the identified research problem and the process of gaining access to the research population. Several gatekeepers (i.e. teachers, social workers, the Families Against Drugs [FAD] Support Group representatives, a minister of religion and a community stakeholder) were engaged to assist in recruiting participants from the four sample groups. A non-probability purposive sampling method was employed to purposively recruit 29 adolescent non-drug users and ten adolescent peer mentors (via the TADA Programme at one school). The same sampling method, followed by a snowball sampling technique, was employed to recruit the two remaining sample groups of ten adolescent drug users (in the recovery process) and nine social workers and social auxiliary workers respectively. The sample sizes were determined by the principle of data saturation.The data generation method used in respect of the non-users took the form of semi-structured written narratives, administered in a group context during school time, followed by a second round of data generation. The life-grid (Wilson, Cunningham-Burley, Bancroft, Backett-Milburn & Masters, 2007:144), a qualitative visual tool for mapping important life events, was employed to guide the co-construction of the biographical narratives generated during the individual semi-structured interviews with the sample of adolescent drug users. Focus group interviews were used to enhance an understanding of the peer mentors and social service practitioners’ views on the construct ‘Coloured’ and their existing drug prevention programmes. Each of the individual and focus group interviews was audio-recorded, transcribed and complemented by the field notes. Informal data gathering occurred through participant observation of two drug prevention programmes, attendance of a FAD Support Group meeting, and interviews with community volunteers and the South African Police Services (SAPS) Youth Development Forum. Both the content and the context of the narratives were analysed to arrive at the research themes, sub-themes and categories. The content of the narratives was analysed by employing categorical content analysis, whilst the form of the narratives (i.e. how the stories were told) was analysed by using the socio-cultural approach to narrative analysis (Grbich, 2007:130). The journey metaphor emerged from the adolescent drug users’ narratives, depicting a prototypical storyline of a drug use journey, starting with experimentation and culminating in abuse and dependence for some and an early exit from the journey for others. The conclusions that can be drawn from these findings illuminate key protective factors and processes at a multisystemic level that can be strengthened to enhance the adolescents’ resistance to drug use and/or delay the onset of use. Embedded in the participants’ narration of the drug use journey were nuances relating to internalised stereotypes of ‘White’ supremacy and ‘Coloured’ inferiority as an explanatory framework for venturing onto and prolonging the journey.The two themes that emerged during the process of content and narrative analysis of the qualitative data (from both adolescent drug users and non-users) were as follows: Constructing drug use as a ‘Coloured’ phenomenon and reconstructing ‘Coloured’ identity; Risk and protective factors located at individual, family, peer, school, community and societal domains. The four themes that emerged during the data analysis of the peer mentors and social service practitioners’ narratives were as follows: Construction of ‘Coloured’ identity; socio-cultural meaning construction about the reasons for drug use amongst adolescents from the Northern Areas; description of drug prevention services rendered in the Northern Areas; and reflection on barriers to rendering drug prevention interventions.

Whoonga is a relatively new addition into the drug market. The need for this study was prompted by the devastating effects this new arrival has had in the lives of young people addicted to it. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of whoonga on the learning of affected youth in Kwa-Dabeka Township. This study adopted a qualitative method and employed a phenomenological approach to explore the experiences of participants with regard to whoonga use and their learning. Data was collected through purposive sampling. Interviews were conducted, using semi-structured and unstructured questions with the help of an interview guide. Observations were also conducted to collect more data. This was done in the classroom during teaching and learning, as well as outside the classroom during recess. The study employed a social learning theoretical framework on the experiences of participants with regard to the use of whoonga. Four participants from one high school in Kwa-Dabeka Township were involved in the study. Themes that emerged from the study were that all the participants were totally ignorant of what they were getting themselves into before they started using whoonga. Peer pressure, coupled with curiosity made their decision to use whoonga easy. Challenges that participants face now on daily basis are far beyond their young age. The findings have indicated that learning is a situation of near impossibility for the participants. The findings have also depicted a picture of young people who are trapped in a vicious cycle of one of life‟s harshest living conditions in terms of their encounters with parents, school and the communities they come from. Despite their hopes for a brighter future one day, participants see no end in sight for their suffering at the hands of this unforgiving, destructive drug at this point in time. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Socio-Education)

Universally it has been reported that the fundamental change in or breakdown of traditional patterns of family living is a major cause of juvenile crime around the world. Researchers argue althought sequential violence may originate from certain important social and historical conditions - substance abuse primarily fules the cycle of violence. The major causes of delinquency in various countries are related to each nation's economic and social environment. The present study took place in the Correctional Services of the Boland Overberg region. The study aimed to examine the impact of risk factors (environmental conditions) and it's contribution to substance abuse and to determine how these risk factors and the prevalance of substance abuse contributes to criminality.

The pandemic of alcohol and drug abuse continues to ravage families, communities and societies placing many households, even communities, under siege. For persons living in an addictive home it is like living in a whirlwind where a family member’s substance use disorder (SUD) turns homes into sporadic unpredictable and out-of-control environments. The partner or concerned significant other (CSO) of the partner with the SUD becomes so engrossed in the latter, that they sacrifice their own time, needs, energies and resources to manage the whirlwind, even adopting maladaptive coping skills to survive. When partners with SUDs begin treatment, its modalities primarily focus on treating the partner with the SUD. The non-abusing CSO-partner is mostly conceptualised as an adjunct treatment collaborator for partners with a SUD and therefore instrumental to a successful treatment outcome. The CSO-partner’s own needs for professional treatment go unattended while they themselves seldom receive specialised treatment to heal and recover from the many and varied scars caused by the whirlwind of a partner’s SUD. They are thus deprived of a service to which they are entitled in their own right. This explains a lacuna in home-grown treatment which falls within the ambit of social work for a CSO-partner. Utilising a qualitative research approach, and the collective instrumental case study and phenomenological research designs complemented by an explorative, descriptive and contextual strategy of inquiry, I explored the experiences, challenges and coping strategies of CSOs living with a partner with a SUD with the view of informing guidelines for social work intervention from 12 CSO-partners and their partners with a SUD. These guidelines were informed by their suggestions for social work support. To live with a partner with a SUD was for all the CSO-participants an overall negative and stressful experience in which they felt isolated and trapped. Feelings of anger and frustration; sadness; embarrassment; shame, humiliation; despair, and hopelessness were experienced causing some of them to emotionally disengage from their partners. Their partners’ SUD-related behaviour had a negative effect on them; their relationships and the relationships with their children. The partner’s argumentative attitudes; intimate partner violence; lack of responsibility; erratic, reckless behaviour, manipulation and threatening relapse were highlighted as some of the challenges experienced. A mix of coping strategies that can be categorised as both adaptive and maladaptive, or enabling behaviours, were employed to mitigate and manage the challenges experienced. The CSO-participants also employed external sources of motivation to convince or force their partners to enter treatment. Admitting to the fact that their SUD’s had affected the CSO-partners negatively, both the partners with the SUDs and their CSO-partners offered suggestions for social work support for the CSOs of partners with a SUD. Topics to be covered during social work interventions to support to CSOs included providing information about drugs and its effects; setting of boundaries and personal safety; rebuilding self-esteem; anger-management; relapse management; and parenting and marriage counselling. Ways in which to provide such social work intervention and support suggested was through couple counselling; family counselling and support groups, and a tailor-made programme catering specifically for the CSO-partners. Based on the research findings, guidelines were formulated as recommendations for social work intervention directed at social work practice. Additional recommendations for education and training; continuous professional development, and ideas for future research were also suggested. / Social Work / D. Phil. (Social Work)

Universally it has been reported that the fundamental change in or breakdown of traditional patterns of family living is a major cause of juvenile crime around the world. Researchers argue althought sequential violence may originate from certain important social and historical conditions - substance abuse primarily fules the cycle of violence. The major causes of delinquency in various countries are related to each nation's economic and social environment. The present study took place in the Correctional Services of the Boland Overberg region. The study aimed to examine the impact of risk factors (environmental conditions) and it's contribution to substance abuse and to determine how these risk factors and the prevalance of substance abuse contributes to criminality.

PhDPH / Department of Public Health / Substance use/abuse is a persistent public health problem in tertiary institutions around South Africa. Alcohol and illegal drugs are the most commonly-used substances by youths in tertiary institutions, including student nurses at the Limpopo College of Nursing (LCN). This study sought to develop a model to prevent substance use/abuse by student nurses at the LCN, South Africa. A convergent parallel mixed-method was used to collect and interpret the data. A phenomenological research approach was utilized for gathering data from the lecturers, student affairs officers and student nurses in the qualitative design which was explorative and descriptive in nature. The population comprised of student nurses, lecturers and student affairs officials who were purposefully selected. Data were collected through unstructured in-depth interviews and analyzed through Tesch’s open-coding steps for qualitative empirical research to develop themes and categories. Data generated the following themes: The Consequences of Socialization Factors on the Incidence of Substance Use/Abuse by Student Nurses and The Effect of Environmental Factors on the Incidence of Substance Use/Abuse by Student Nurses. Within each theme, sub-themes emerged. Trustworthiness of the collected data were ensured. A quantitative design was employed to collect data from all student nurses in five campuses of LCN. A stratified sampling technique was used to select respondents and structured questionnaires were used to collect data. A total of 445 questionnaires were collected. Quantitative data were analyzed numerically and through descriptive and correlation statistics using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. The results showed that substance use/abuse is more prevalent among students of the age group of between 21 and 24 years that represented the majority in LCN. Data were analyzed independently for which a convergent analytic approach was used to merge the data sets. Validity and reliability were ensured. Ethical considerations were adhered to. The overall findings highlighted that substance use/abuse by the student nurses was widespread. Various factors, including behavioural, environmental and student earning stipend, have contributed to the problem. The concept “prevention” was analyzed using Walker & Avant’s (2014) steps. The results of both the empirical study and concept analysis formed the basis for model development. The framework of Dickoff, James and Wiedenbach (1963) was used to develop a model. The developed model was validated by the group using a close-ended checklist, analyzed using simple descriptive statistics. The model was in accordance with the legislative provisions of the LCN lease agreement, Higher Education Act as well as the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA, 2003). / NRF

Whoonga is a relatively new addition into the drug market. The need for this study was prompted by the devastating effects this new arrival has had in the lives of young people addicted to it. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of whoonga on the learning of affected youth in Kwa-Dabeka Township. This study adopted a qualitative method and employed a phenomenological approach to explore the experiences of participants with regard to whoonga use and their learning. Data was collected through purposive sampling. Interviews were conducted, using semi-structured and unstructured questions with the help of an interview guide. Observations were also conducted to collect more data. This was done in the classroom during teaching and learning, as well as outside the classroom during recess. The study employed a social learning theoretical framework on the experiences of participants with regard to the use of whoonga. Four participants from one high school in Kwa-Dabeka Township were involved in the study. Themes that emerged from the study were that all the participants were totally ignorant of what they were getting themselves into before they started using whoonga. Peer pressure, coupled with curiosity made their decision to use whoonga easy. Challenges that participants face now on daily basis are far beyond their young age. The findings have indicated that learning is a situation of near impossibility for the participants. The findings have also depicted a picture of young people who are trapped in a vicious cycle of one of life‟s harshest living conditions in terms of their encounters with parents, school and the communities they come from. Despite their hopes for a brighter future one day, participants see no end in sight for their suffering at the hands of this unforgiving, destructive drug at this point in time. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Socio-Education)

The purpose of the study was to explore the experiences of female nyaope injectors residing in City of Tshwane Municipality, Gauteng. The study was conducted at COSUP sites namely; Soshanguve, Pretoria CBD, Sunnyside, Mamelodi, Eersterust, and Attridgeville. The study focused on females who have a history of injecting nyaope, accessing substance use related services at a registered service provider within City of Tshwane Municipality, Gauteng. Research design of the study was exploratory, which is basically used to explore a new topic or learn more about phenomenon where little is known. The research approach was purely qualitative methodology. This permitted the researcher to deeply explore the lived experiences of female nyaope injectors residing in City of Tshwane Municipality, Gauteng. A qualitative in-depth interview method was used to collect data from 24 participants who took part in the study. Questions of the interview were semi-structured, in-depth one-on-one interviews and were used to explore the lived experiences of female nyaope injectors residing in City of Tshwane Municipality, Gauteng. The findings of the study revealed that females who are injecting nyaope, are at risk of contracting HIV and other blood-borne infections. The stigma that is perpetuated by families, intimate partners, communities, health care professionals, and police officers is creating a hostile environment for female nyaope injectors; which increases the risk of contracting HIV and other blood-borne infections. Harm reduction services have the potential to address the needs of female nyaope injectors if fully implemented. It can be concluded that there is a need for substance abuse service providers to implement comprehensive harm reduction services to curb HIV prevalence amongst female nyaope injectors. / Health Studies / M.A. (Social Behavioural Studies in HIV/AIDS)