The recent "space cookies" incident in Soshanguve as well as the "drug-laced lekkertjies" in Grassy Park are reminders of how easily accessible drugs have become.

The follow up to similar incidents in the past has shown that merely implementing strict punishments has not effectively addressed the availability and use of drugs; in fact, it has only exacerbated the harm inflicted on users.

The South African Network of People Who Use Drugs (SANPUD) believes that knowing about the different classes of drugs and their impact on the body is essential to track their impact and ultimately, can save lives.

Ignorance about the composition and active ingredients in certain medications and drugs can lead individuals to unknowingly mix drugs, putting them at risk of overdose and potentially deadly consequences.

The 2021/22 annual report by the Central Drug Authority, found that both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medicines were consistently used as either a primary or secondary substance across various locations.

The percentage of admissions ranged from 1% in the Northern Region to 7% in KwaZulu-Natal.

Additionally, out of a total of 285 individuals seeking treatment, 3% reported non-medical codeine use upon admission, with most coming from Gauteng (150), KwaZulu-Natal (73), and the Western Cape (30).

Methamphetamine, Cannabis, and Alcohol were identified as the top three substances used among those seeking treatment in the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Central Region, and Eastern Cape.

In contrast, heroin emerged as a prominent substance alongside Cannabis and Alcohol among individuals seeking treatment specifically in Gauteng and the Northern Region.

Nowadays, children are increasingly confessing to using cannabis, however their drug tests often reveal the presence of other drugs in addition to THC (tetrahydrocannabinols which are present in Cannabis).

Drugs such as opiates and amphetamines often also show up as positive in the urine sample panel tests, despite children being adamant that they are only using cannabis.

Initially, the assumption is usually one of two scenarios: either the child is lying or that unscrupulous dealers are adulterating products with these dangerous substances.

However, it's crucial to consider alternative explanations for these findings.

Certain medications we commonly consume contain opiates without our knowledge; medicines like Myprodol and Nurofen incorporate codeine, which can trigger positive results for opiates in certain drug tests.

Codeine-containing cough syrups are regulated in terms of Schedule 2 and Schedule 3 of the Medicines Act.

However, it is not only cough syrup or even Lean (the street name for a mix containing Codeine cough syrup and soda) that contain opiates.

Common flu medications and pain analgesics such as Nurofen plus, Stilpane, Adco Napacod, Gen-Payne among others, all contain Codeine phosphate which may show up as a positive opiate result in a panel drug test.

So, whilst parents need to be aware of the risks of drugs, a positive opiate urine test result may not necessarily mean your child is using Lean or Heroin!

It may just be because of the pain medication parents willingly administered for their earache or body aches. The same can be said for flu medication that contains pseudoephedrine.

Pseudoephedrine is used to relieve nasal congestion caused by colds, allergies, and hay fever. It is also used to temporarily relieve sinus congestion and pressure. These too will show up in the five panel drug tests as Amphetamine use.

Again, this does not mean that the learner is using Tik! OTC cold and flu medications such as Sinutab, Demazine, Sudafed, Advil.

It is important for communities to educate themselves around the drug categories and what over the counter medication can also result in positive drug test results.

In addition, it is also important for people to be aware that mixing central nervous system depressant (CND) drug classes can result in overdose.

Benzodiazepines should be used with caution when other opiates are being consumed. Particularly with stronger opiates such as Heroin or Methadone.

Alcohol is also a CND and when consumed in large amounts or in conjunction with other opiate depressant medication, it can significantly increase drowsiness and slow down the respiratory system.

Unless prescribed by an authorised prescriber, these products can only be sold by a registered pharmacist, or a post-basic pharmacist’s assistant under the personal supervision of a pharmacist, at a licensed pharmacy.

Acknowledging this reality, SANPUD advocates for alternative approaches focused on education and support programmes for minimizing the harm often associated with drug use.

In October 2021, South Africa made significant strides in addressing the issue of dangerous problematic drug use by launching the Drug Master Plan 2019-2024 with the Central Drug Authority (CDA) mandated with its implementation.

This signaled a clear change in approach, prioritizing accessible and affordable evidence-based services for prevention, early detection, treatment, rehabilitation, and aftercare.

The CDA has identified capacity building as part of strengthening the provincial and local committees in providing effective solutions to drug use and creating safer communities in partnership with stakeholders such as SANPUD.

However, this shift in policy is not matched by availability of resources to those who need help, with the World Drug Report 2023 reporting that “despite the high prevalence of substance use disorders (SUD) in South Africa, treatment options are scarce as less than 5% of those affected actually receive help”.

To invest in building safe communities through appropriate drug prevention and impact minimization strategies, it is crucial to recognize the importance of providing correct information about drugs in a supportive and judgment-free environment.

During times of moral panic, where there are reports of 'mass poisonings’ from drug use, society tends to react with fear and alarm. Unfortunately, this often leads to scapegoating, discrimination, and stigma against individuals who have any association with drug consumption.

These negative attitudes create significant barriers in open dialogue about drugs as they perpetuate misconceptions fuelled by ignorance and sensationalism rather than focusing on accurate knowledge and understanding the complexities surrounding substance use and easily accessible medication.

By promoting an environment that encourages productive conversations instead of fear-based reactions, we can overcome these obstacles and foster education on drug-related issues effectively.