Substance Use and Abuse in South Africa

Book excerpt: Substance abuse is an enormous social problem in South Africa, as elsewhere. But in South Africa in particular, tik (crystal meth, or methamphetamine) and alcohol are devastating society, aggravating poverty and crime, and contributing to child abuse and gender violence. Substance Use and Abuse in South Africa has arisen out of the thriving Brain-Behaviour Initiative (BBI) at the University of Cape Town, which relates neuroscience and behavioural science to social issues. This ground-breaking book looks at the problem of substance abuse from multiple perspectives and particularly in the light of recent discoveries in brain and behavioural science, but also takes a public health view. Its focus ranges from brain imaging and dopaminergic neurocircuitry to policy and prevention, and is written by local researchers at the cutting edge.