The Northern Cape has the highest prevalence of pupils who have driven a vehicle on a public road after drinking alcohol. The province’s 24.7% is much higher than the national average of 7.8%.

The MEC for transport, safety and liaison, Mac Jack, revealed the statistics during his department’s transport month career expo at the Mitta Seperepere Convention Centre at the weekend.

About 200 young people were spoilt for choice on the career paths available in the South African Navy, SA Army, SA Air Force, SA Military Health and the South African Police Service. “As though this is not enough, our province had the highest prevalence of 17.9 % of pupils who had been threatened or injured by someone with a weapon.

“Our province is renowned for the unfortunate plague of high levels of alcohol and drug abuse among its youth. This is a sad story to tell,” said Jack.

He said the province only had about 2.2% of the South African population and yet was faced with devastating challenges facing the youth and pupils in particular.

“The provincial government and its police department will remain committed to taking action against the scourge of alcohol and substance abuse because of their devastating impact on individuals, families, communities and society as a whole,” Jack said.

He urged the youth in the province not to throw their futures away, but to choose career paths in the defence and state security institutions, “because they speak directly to the creation of a safe and secured country and could be very exciting if you put your passion and dedication into it.”
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