A systems dynamic model for drug abuse and drug-related crime in the Western Cape Province of South Africa

CITATION: Nyabadza, F. & Coetzee, L. 2017. A systems dynamic model for drug abuse and drug-related crime in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Computational and Mathematical Methods in Medicine, 2017:1-14 (Article ID 4074197), doi:10.1155/2017/4074197.The original publication is available at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/cmmmPublication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.The complex problem of drug abuse and drug-related crimes in communities in the Western Cape province cannot be studied in isolation but through the system they are embedded in. In this paper, a theoretical model to evaluate the syndemic of substance abuse and drug-related crimes within the Western Cape province of South Africa is constructed and explored. The dynamics of drug abuse and drug-related crimes within the Western Cape are simulated using STELLA software. The simulation results are consistent with the data from SACENDU and CrimeStats SA, highlighting the usefulness of such a model in designing and planning interventions to combat substance abuse and its related problems.https://www.hindawi.com/journals/cmmm/2017/4074197/abs/Publisher's versio

An evaluation of the effectiveness of the institutional mechanism to manage substance abuse in South Africa

Includes bibliographical references.This mixed method study of the effectiveness of the management of substance abuse in South Africa explored the way policies are formulated and implemented. A governance lens used coordination and public participation as indicators to measure the efficacy of the coordinating substance abuse structures (the Central Drug Authority, Provincial Substance Abuse Forums and Local Drug Action Committees) to implement the National Drug Master Plan 2006-2011. Coordinated governance, which include empowerment and resourcing of structures at the provincial and municipal levels will be helpful to provide necessary resources, expertise and skills to the "whole of society" for the implementation of future strategies

Exploring the perceived effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy as a treatment model for substance use disorders with co-occurring disorders at substance abuse rehabilitation centres in Gauteng

Text in EnglishAgainst the background of high prevalence of substance abuse in the globe generally and South Africa in particular, research has shown an association between substance abuse and other mental disorders or vice-versa. With most rehabilitation centres offering separate diagnosis and treatment for the two disorders, the problem of relapse has been significant. The purpose of this study is to explore the perceived effectiveness of CBT as a treatment model for substance use disorders with co-occurring disorders. Subsequently, the research will add to the already existing research evidence. The study was conducted in five rehabilitation centres in Gauteng Province. The qualitative descriptive research approach was used to conduct the study. Both purposive and snowball sampling were used to recruit participants in this study. The sample consisted of CBT specialist participants from diverse race, gender, ethnicity, and age ranging from 30 to 65 years, with at least a minimum of five years’ experience. A pilot study with two specialist participants was conducted, and this enhanced trustworthiness and authenticity of the study. The primary method of qualitative data collection employed in this study was semi-structured individual interviews for specialist participants. Grounded theory analysis was employed to analyse data. The findings of the study emphasised a need to not separate treatment of substance use disorders and psychiatric pathologies. More importantly, the effectiveness of CBT in treating both disorders was established by the study. The study further encourages more time in therapy as the way to increase effective results accompanied by less relapse rate. Accordingly, the findings of this study encourage more research and use of CBT treatment for substance use disorders with co-occurring disorders in South Africa. This study found that the most used substances are both legal and illegal, and they are further classified as depressants, stimulants, opioids, and new psychoactive substances. A vulnerable population to abuse substances includes adolescent and young adults, individuals with co-occurring disorders, and low socio-economic status. The disorders that normally co-exist with substance use disorder ranges from depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, sleeping disorder, impulsivity, antisocial behaviour, borderline disorder, paranoia, panic disorder, and suicide behaviour. The study found that genetic predisposition, depression, parental neglect and financial problems, experimentation with substances for relaxation, peer group pressure, and co-occurring disorders are high risk causes for substance abuse. The experience of participants in treating substance use disorder with co-occurring disorders involves which disorders get treated first, and the mental state of patients for effective treatment. The various substance abuse treatment models includes person centred approach, bio-psychosocial approach, holistic approach, eclectic therapy, integrated approach, resilient approach, rational emotive behavioural therapy, family therapy, motivational interviewing, 12-step programme, and cognitive behavioural therapy. The participants’ experience with CBT entails its usability in both individual and group therapy, the use of CBT skills after therapy, and CBT effectiveness in relapse prevention. Accessibility and affordability of CBT treatment is influenced by access to rehabilitation centres and cost of rehabilitation centres. Lastly, individual factors, family factors, and environmental factors are part of the contributing factors towards high relapse rates.PsychologyM.A. (Psychology

An investigation of the relationship between mental health and recidivism among incarcerated youth offenders in South Africa: the role of substance use

Theoretical models of crime underlying the deterrent approach to crime control often fail to account for the role of mental health in mediating deviance. Nor does this approach account for the role of system responses, unique to a post-apartheid context. There is paucity in the literature on the role of mental health on recidivism in South Africa. This study was therefore designed to determine the relationship between mental health and recidivism among incarcerated youth offenders in South Africa and the role of substance use. The Ecological Systems Theory and the Theory of Planned Behaviour provided the theoretical frameworks for this study. A cross-sectional quantitative exploratory research design was used. 280 youth offenders (male and female, aged 18-35) incarcerated at a Durban Maximum Correctional Service in KwaZulu-Natal who do not have a known psychiatric diagnosis were sampled, using multi-stage random sampling. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. The final instrument consisted of six sections. Section 1 consisted of socio-demographic data. Section 2, measured the history of imprisonment. Section 3, is the Hopkins symptoms checklist (HSCL-25), which measures depression and anxiety disorder. Section 4, measures youth offenders' attraction to crime using an adapted version of the appetitive aggression scale. Section 5, is a measure of substance use using the CRAFFT measure (Car, Relax, Alone, Forget, Friends, Trouble). Finally, section 6 was an adapted version of the Measure of Criminal Attitudes and Associates scale (MCAA). Data were analyzed using SPSS. Several statistical analyses were used in this study to include, descriptive analysis, multiple regression, binary logistic regression, factor analysis, cluster analysis and chi-square analysis. The minimum age for participants was 19 and maximum age is 35, the majority of participants were aged 32 and the average age is 30. The majority of participants have secondary school education (65.8%, n=171), and participants who have not received any formal education are (3.5%, n=9). The majority of participants are black (91.4%, n=245), and Coloured (6.3%, n=17), male (93.0%, n=251) and from KwaZulu-Natal (87.1% n=237). Descriptive analysis also showed that the rate of recidivism (re-offending) among this offender population is 32.4% (n=82), while 67.6% (n=171) of the participants have not recidivated. This study promotes social change by highlighting the need for the further exploration of combined factors that increase recidivism. Findings from this study are helpful to health and criminal justice organizations as they indicate the need for strengthening the provision of programs that address mental health screening, diagnosis and treatment as well as programs that address appetitive aggression issues in efforts to curb recidivism

Experiences of coloured heroin users in Metro South area of Cape Town: A social work perspective

Magister Artium (Social Work) - MA(SW)Heroin usage is on the increase in the Western Cape province of South Africa owing to globalization and to increased access to the drug in this province. The goal of this study is to explore the experiences of coloured heroin users in the Metro South area of , which stretches from Simons Town and Muizenberg to Retreat, Lavender Hill, Grassy Park, Parkwood and Wynberg. These individuals have been found to congregate in the Wynberg CBD. The overarching theoretical framework for the purpose of this research is social constructionism and symbolic interactionism, using a qualitative means of inquiry. Snowball sampling was used to recruit prospective participants and data was collected by means of in-depth interviews, with a semi structures interviewing schedule. The questions informed the subsequent themes and categories that arise from the data collection process. Snowball sampling was employed in this case, a non-probability sample, in which participants were recruited via key informants. The sample distribution included 13 participants, 10 of which were heroin users (5 female, 5 male) and the remaining 3 were key informants which contributed to triangulation of the data. In terms of the findings, participants spoke of mostly being involved in intimate relationships, which according to participants had dual benefits. For female participants intimate relationships offered a form of protection on the often dangerous streets of Wynberg and for certain males, intimate relationships offered an opportunity to fund their habit, by trading their female partners to perform sexual favors for money to acquire heroin. While the study found females were mainly involved in trading sexual favors for money, heterosexual males were also implicated in having sexual relations with homosexual men for money. Furthermore, the study found that heroin users in Wynberg represented a surrogate family, where, because of their lifestyle, they were disconnected from their own family. This family surrogate was found to be supportive, caring to a large extent, shared a living space, protective of each other and shared a common language and understanding

Decentralising the South African Police Service: Does South Africa's current public safety crisis and the de facto decentralising of policing necessitate a critical evaluation of its present policing model?

Violent crime in South Africa has reached epidemic levels, and something needs to be done about it as a matter of urgency. While the huge socio-economic inequalities in South Africa remain the main cause of crime in South Africa, the focus of this dissertation is on the inefficient, ineffective and unaccountable South African Police Service (SAPS), and how its failings have contributed to the public safety crisis South Africa is faced with presently. In this dissertation I suggest that, given South Africa's current public safety crisis, institutional reform of SAPS is needed in order to adequately address this social ill and argue that it is worth revisiting the decentralised policing model proposed under the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act 200 of 1993 (Interim Constitution), as a partial solution. The public safety crisis effects every person in South Africa, whether directly or indirectly, however, it is the most vulnerable communities, on the socio-economic margins of the South African society, who suffer the most. The Cape Flats in Cape Town is used as a representative case study to show the failings of South Africa's current centralised policing model, highlighting how SAPS have proven to be ineffective in dealing with violent crime there. As a result of the failings of SAPS people are organising locally to ensure their own safety, including the creation of vigilante organisations. In Cape Town a de facto decentralised police service has been created, which in itself presents a serious problem however also reflects the demand for more localised and nuanced policing in South Africa

FACTORS INFLUENCING RELAPSE IN INDIVIDUALS WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS: AN ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

Substance abuse is a global problem that has generated considerable concern among patients, families, clinicians and researchers. Existing research has not explored the views of social workers as treatment professionals but has focused on the service users and their significant others. A qualitative study was conducted to explore the factors influencing relapse in individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) from a social work perspective. The findings revealed that various factors play a role in relapse at the different levels described from the ecological perspective. The study contributes towards the development of strategies to combat relapse and help in formulating relapse prevention programmes

Violence in South African adolescents:a road to recovery

South African adolescents are at risk for exposure to violence victimisation and a significant proportion of them engage in violence perpetration. The experiences of victimisation and perpetration can take a significant toll on adolescents’ psycho-social development and lead to long-term impact on health and functioning in adulthood. Given the pressing situation of violence in South Africa and the importance to promote positive functioning in adolescents so they grow up to be responsible individuals and drive the country’s socio-economic development, a needs assessment was conducted. Specifically, quantitative methods were used to examine the risk and protective factors associated with adolescents’ experiences of victimisation and perpetration, as well as the negative impact of victimisation on adolescents’ psychological functioning and health risk behaviours. Moreover, qualitative methods were used to explore the protective factors that enhance resilience in adolescents living in high-violence communities. The results may inform the development of interventions to prevent the experiences of victimisation and perpetration in South African adolescents, and help them thrive and attain positive developmental outcomes

An evaluation of intervention strategies into gangsterism in the Helenvale area

The impact of intervention strategies to reduce gang related violence by Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and the community at large has so far not attracted much attention or support from provincial and national authorities. Helenvale and its surrounding areas plays an integral part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality as the economic-hub of the Eastern Cape Province. But its gang problem has evolved over decades of socio-economic difficulties and struggle for a better life in the predominantly Coloured community. In order for this problem to be overcome a more strategically focused intervention strategy is required by local, provincial, and national authorities. This research study evaluates the gang intervention strategies in the Helenvale area and seeks to provide a primary research base from which key policies and strategies could be developed to address this challenge in an effort to bring about peace and stability in this community and other affected areas within close proximity of the area of study. At the heart of providing possible solutions to practices of gangsterism amongst mostly the youth, should be a well-coordinated intergovernmental high impact intervention strategy in partnership with NGO’s, civil society and other sectors of the community. Further solutions are the investment by authorities in rehabilitation centres, with skills development and job-creation opportunities as a key exit strategy for those involved in gangs. Acknowledgement that the enhancement and development of mediation skills of community based structures through the sharing of critical conflict theory and mediation practices, could make a substantial contribution to greater peace and stability in our communities

Recovery after completion of inpatient substance abuse treatment program in the Western Cape: An exploratory study on self-efficacy differences

Magister Psychologiae - MPsychRecent increases in intellectual, social, infrastructural and economic resources available for the treatment of substance related mental disorders in the Western Cape reflects the national surge towards health promotion and eradication of the burden created by substance abuse. This large number of people who relapse and return to active substance abuse after receiving treatment obstruct this aim. This study aimed to determine the differences in self efficacy and assess for the risk for relapse during the first twelve months of recovery. Albert Bandura’s social cognitive theory provided a suitable framework for the objectives of this study. A cross-sectional survey research design was implemented. Research participants were recruited from different aftercare groups across Western Cape using cluster sampling. The sample consisted of 105 English literate, consenting adult residents of Western Cape who completed an inpatient substance abuse rehabilitation program within twelve months spanning April 2014- April 2015. Data was collected from respondents using two instruments; a demographic information sheet, and an adapted alcohol abstinence self-efficacy scale (AASE). This instrument showed high validity and reliability during a pilot study conducted to ascertain its reliability in a South African sample. Ethics clearance and project registration was given by the Senate Research Committee of the University of the Western Cape. All ethics principles were adhered to and attention was paid particularly to ensuring confidentiality, informed consent, voluntary participation and the right to withdraw without risk of loss or negative consequence. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation matrices and regression analysis. The results indicated that self-efficacy was highest during the first days and weeks following discharge from a treatment facility. Respondents who remained gainfully employed during recovery reported higher overall self-efficacy and coped better with negative emotions, withdrawal, physical discomfort and urges to use. Respondents’ perceived ability to cope with negative emotions, and resist withdrawal and urges to use again decreased as post-discharge time increased, with females reporting lower self-efficacy than males and respondents’ age showing no significant effect on recovery outcomes. In conclusion, high abstinence self-efficacy has proven to be a predictor of sobriety. After care, interventions can focus on activities to strengthen abstinence self-efficacy levels. Employment stands out as a vital factor to consider in helping people maintain sobriety