1 in 4 teenagers addicted to booze

STUDY: 26% OF KIDS GET FIRST DRINKS AT HOME’

- Jarryd Westerdale

Alcohol dependence is starting early in South Africa, with family members often the ones to first open the door.

The South African National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence (Sanca) gave a presentation to the portfolio committee on social development on Wednesday, outlining addiction trends.

Sanca's figures show males have a six-to-one greater chance of seeking treatment, with teens between 14 and 17 years old accounting for more patients than their 18 to 39 year old counterparts.

A Sanca and University of South Africa study surveyed almost 500 children from 10 to 18 years old who had received Sanca treatment nationally.

The survey found that 55% were regular users of alcohol, 38% used marijuana and 4% experimented with methamphetamines.

Many teens began their regular use of alcohol during puberty, with 16% of respondents saying they were drinking by the age of 13.

Additionally, the survey found that 4% were drinking at age 10 and 6% at age 12. However, 32% began drinking between the ages of 14 and 16.