Substance abuse practices and Intervention programmes for male youth offenders in Pollsmoor – Department of Correctional services

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Date
2011
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Publisher
University of Zululand
Abstract
Substance use is on the increase among the youth in South Africa. Traditional concern about the youth (as the future of South Africa), and the portrayals in the media of severe drug and alcohol use among the country‟s youth have contributed to the need for research into this issue. Drugs and alcohol also have a close link to crime. The aim of this study is to investigate and report the prevalence of substance use and the need for intervention among male youth offenders at the Pollsmoor Youth Centre, in the Western Cape Province. The research has attempted to create an understanding of male youth drug abusers‟ attitudes towards intervention and rehabilitation programmes and also the Correctional Service‟s role in managing substance abuse. A survey research methodology using questionnaires has been employed. The data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The sample population consisted of the sentenced male youth offenders at the Pollsmoor Youth Centre. The results of the survey indicated that “Tik” (methamphetamines or crystal meths) was the most popular substance of choice in this sample. Tik was 23 % more popular than its nearest rival, cannabis. Tobacco was the most widely used drug owing to it being legal and obtainable at the Centre‟s shops. The majority of male youth offenders (74 %) believed that an intervention programme was necessary as part of their rehabilitation. The findings indicated that a department or unit needs to be established to handle the increasing drug abuse problem. The unit should identify substance abusers on admittance and place them on a rehabilitation programme. If necessary this programme should continue in their community after release from the correctional centre.
Description
A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Magister Educationis in the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education, University of Zululand, South Africa, 2011.
Keywords
Substance abuse--South Africa
Citation