Substance abuse: the critical need for more usable research

Abstract

Substance abuse is a growing problem in South Africa, with just more than 13% of the population having used a substance during their lifetime. But the lack of comprehensive data to understand the changing trends of substance use and the lack of treatment facilities leaves much to be desired. Ina van der Linde reports on two seminars on substance abuse facilitated by the Department of Science and Technology and hosted by the HSRC.