PROJECT: YOUTH SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND EFFECTIVE CRIME PREVENTION

Isabel Spies
2 days ago
4 min read

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Building on our previous project and in response to the rising misuse of ketamine among South Africa’s youth,

Specialised Security Services (SSS) presents targeted intervention strategies designed not only to

prevent substance addiction but also to reduce youth involvement in criminal activities.

These measures aim to safeguard young people, strengthen community safety,

and promote informed, responsible decision-making.

Read the previous project for context:

https://www.mikebolhuis.co.za/post/project-south-africa-s-youth-and-their-escalating-drug-use

CRIME PREVENTION ORIENTED STRATEGIES:

PREVENTION AND EARLY INTERVENTION STRATEGIES:

AWARENESS AND EDUCATION:
- Incorporate age-appropriate modules into school curricula (especially senior grades) that focus not just on alcohol/tik but also “harder” substances like ketamine: what it is, how it can be abused, what the short and long-term risks are (health, addiction, legal, crime/victimisation).
- Use peer-educator programmes: youth speaking to youth about substance use, linking to real-life risks (for example, being drawn into crime or exploited).
- International literature shows that peer mentoring is very effective.
- Engage parents/caregivers, especially ahead of high-risk periods (matric/farewell season).
- Provide them with information on signs to watch out for (withdrawal, zoning out, unusual behaviour) and risk factors (peer pressure, party culture, unsupervised gatherings).
- For ketamine, signs may include dissociation, “zoning”, memory loss or unexplained absence.
EARLY INTERVENTION SUPPORTS:
- Expand safe spaces for learners to disclose substance use problems without immediate criminalisation: school-based counselling or referral to youth-friendly treatment services before escalation into criminal behaviour.
- Strengthen school-community partnerships: schools, social development services, health services, and local police/crime prevention forums collaborate to identify hotspots (gatherings, unsupervised events) and intervene (monitor, provide safe transportation, and offer supervision).
- Focus on the context of events (matric/farewell): ensure formal risk assessments, supervision, alcohol- and drug-free zones, safe-transport arrangements, peer monitoring, and information provision about the legal consequences of drug use/dealing.
- Promote diversion and restorative justice approaches for teenagers who fall into substance-related offences (rather than purely punitive).
- By doing so, you interrupt the pathway from experiment → dependence → crime.
SUPPLY-SIDE AND ENFORCEMENT MEASURES:
- Support local police and community safety forums in intelligence-led efforts to address dealers/distributors near schools or events, especially for emerging substances (like ketamine) which may be less familiar to educators/police.
- Ensure clear communication of legal consequences for possession/supply of controlled substances. This awareness should emphasise that being involved in drug-trafficking (even as a courier) has serious legal and life-course implications.
- Work with health regulators and substance-abuse services: monitor misuse trends (which substances are becoming common among youth), enable data-sharing between health, education and law-enforcement agencies so that emerging patterns (e.g., ketamine use) are quickly identified and responded to.

The rise of substance use, including substances like ketamine, among younger learners in South Africa

presents a dual challenge: a health challenge (addiction, long-term damage) and a crime-prevention challenge

(increased vulnerability to victimisation, involvement in substance-related crime).

By recognising this as part of the broader crime‐prevention landscape (not only “health/school discipline”),

everyone can help build resilient youth, aware parents, and safer school environments.

Teenagers and young adults should be informed and prepared.

Stay safe.

When youths understand the real risks, both health and crime,

they have better grounding to make safer choices.

Specialised Security Services invites the public to the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Channel.

This channel is important in delivering insights into the latest crime trends, awareness, warnings and the exposure of criminals.

How to Join the WhatsApp Channel:

1. Make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp on your device.

2. Click on the link below to join the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Channel:

- https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VarjftF8PgsI4pODE929

3. Follow the prompts to join the channel.

4. Make sure you click on "Follow", then click on the "bell"-icon (🔔)

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ALL INFORMATION RECEIVED WILL BE TREATED IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENTIALITY AND EVERY IDENTITY WILL BE PROTECTED.

Regards,

Mike Bolhuis

Specialist Investigators into

Serious Violent, Serious Economic Crimes & Serious Cybercrimes

PSIRA Reg. 1590364/421949

Mobile: +27 82 447 6116

E-mail: mike@mikebolhuis.co.za

Fax: 086 585 4924

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