Unemployment and unfavourable social environment as contributory factors to nyaope use in three provinces of South Africa : substance abuse

Abstract

South Africa has seen an increase in the prevalence of drug use, including novel psychoactive substances (NPSs), among which is nyaope, that is widely used among young Black people in various townships. Poverty has been reported to be a significant contributory factor to drug abuse, and the vulnerability increases if there are additional factors like easy access to drugs. A qualitative study on the experiences of nyaope users suggested the possibility of poverty as a contributory factor in impoverished communities. The data were collected in various areas of Gauteng, North West and Mpumalanga provinces, among a sample of 108 nyaope users. The majority were single and male, with ages ranging from 18 and 36, with a mean of 25.3 years. The mean age of first drug use was 14.8 years and cannabis was the first drug used (51%), with 11% reporting nyaope as the first drug used. A massive 84% (n=91) were unemployed, and the majority (76%) were never admitted for drug rehabilitation. The combination of easy access to both cannabis and nyaope, and the high unemployment rates seem to be contributing to nyaope use in these communities.

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