STATEMENT BY THE CITY’S EXECUTIVE MAYOR, PATRICIA DE LILLE, ON
WORLD FOETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME AWARENESS DAY
Note to editors: This is an extract from a statement by Mayor De Lille at the
Ndabeni Pound on 9 September 2014, where confiscated alcohol was
destroyed.
Alcohol abuse remains one of the most serious battles still confronting Cape
Town and the country as a whole.
It is still one of the most commonly abused substances, with several negative
effects on our communities.
In line with our efforts to create a caring and safe city, we have numerous
initiatives and substance abuse strategies that are geared towards
combatting the scourge of alcohol abuse.
These efforts form part of the City’s commitment to working with residents to
combat substance abuse – the negative effects of which undermine social
cohesion and contribute to crime and other socio-economic ills.
Today, on International Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Awareness Day, we
are reminded of one of the most devastating effects that alcohol has not
only on society as a whole, but on families and especially children.
The effect of alcohol abuse on children is one of the most distressing, as it
affects young babies before they are even born.
Foetal Alcohol Syndrome is 100% preventable, yet we still see such cases
rising.
Children born with FAS experience a range of developmental, growth and
mental problems, which could have been prevented.
The damage done by FAS is 100% permanent and cannot be reversed.
As the City of Cape Town, we have to try various methods to assist in
reducing the effects of the problem.
The negative effects of alcohol consumption are well known.
As part of International FAS Awareness Day, the City’s Social Development
and Early Childhood Development Directorate is hosting awareness
presentations in several communities including Kraaifontein, Mitchells Plain,
Khayelitsha, Ottery and Bonteheuwel.
The City’s Matrix clinics offer ongoing support and help to people battling
substance abuse problems.
Our primary health care clinics also deliver crucial healthcare to all residents
as well as to pregnant women through prenatal care programmes.
As women we have a great responsibility in ensuring that we maintain our
health, especially during pregnancy.
While we offer a range of health services and support, we are also increasing
our enforcement efforts to clamp down on alcohol abuse.
Today we are sending a powerful message that alcohol abuse is a major
problem that must be stopped in its tracks.
Our main enforcement efforts are aimed at keeping our roads, communities
and beaches safe.
During the past festive season, City law enforcement teams confiscated an
alarming 10 575 bottles of liquor from City beaches between December 2013
February 2014.
In terms of the Seashore Act, it is illegal to consume alcohol on city beaches
and, as such, our officials patrols beaches regularly to confiscate alcohol
from beachgoers.
A total of 798 spot fines were issued for confiscated liquor in the last festive
season.
This liquor was impounded and amounts to 7 931 litres which was removed
from City beaches alone.
The total value of the fines issued amounts to R399 000.
Our beaches are an inclusive place for all residents to enjoy with their
families, free from any threat of harm.
Those who break the law and consume alcohol on our beaches are not only
potentially putting themselves at risk, but their consumption of alcohol is
disrespectful towards other beachgoers who are enjoying the beach with
their families and young children.
Our enforcement efforts have indeed increased over time and we will ensure
that each festive season we enhance these efforts as we send a message
that illegal consumption of alcohol on city beaches will not be tolerated.
During the previous festive season from December 2012 to January 2013, 7
695 bottles of alcohol confiscated from city beaches.
Today I am sending a warning to people who continue to break the law, that
as the City we will act, and those who break the law will face the
consequences of their actions.
My call is for all of us to take responsibility and be mindful of our health and
the problems we face.
We need to work together to ensure that we increase our efforts to assist, but
to also encourage people to seek the necessary help.
End
Issued by: Integrated Strategic Communication and Branding Department,
City of Cape Town
Media enquiries: Zara Nicholson, Spokesperson for the Executive Mayor –
Patricia de Lille, City of Cape Town, Tel: 021 400 4998 or Cell: 079 416 5996, Email: zara.nicholson@capetown.gov.za