Page 5 - Advancing Life - January 2026
P. 5
ADVANCINGLIFE, FEBRUARY 2026 5
Issue 05 NEWS
2017, about 8 out of 100 teens Are Young People Protected
said they used cannabis, up Enough?
from 1.5 out of 100 in 2002.
The law tries to protect children
Nearly half of young people and teens, but more needs to be
admitted for drug treatment done:
were under 18, and most said
cannabis was the main drug that • Stop sales to anyone under the
they used. age of 18 years.
• Make sure cannabis products
What Are the Risks? aren’t advertised to young
people
Eating or using cannabis can • Make sure the packets that
cause health problems for young cannabis edibles are not sold
people, including: with pictures that make them
• Feeling very tired or “out of it” seem harmless
• Lack of concentration • Have clear labels showing how
• Muscle weakness or feeling much THC (this is the “high”
lame in the legs chemical) is in each product
• Fast heartbeat • Teach everyone about the
• Difficulty Breathing risks, especially parents,
What Teens Need to Know • Psychosis (for example, seeing • School and community
teachers, and teens
or hearing things that aren’t
programmes to help teens
real), which can be serious
make informed choices
about South African Regular cannabis use can • Easy access to help and
and permanent
treatment for young people
Cannabis Laws affect the developing brain who need it
(the brain develops up until • Regular surveys to track teen
cannabis use and update laws
the age of 25), leading to:
as needed
• Memory and learning
By: Nadine Harker, Tara Carney, to legalise recreational use (for well controlled by laws and problems Key Message for Teens
Nancy Hornsby fun or relaxation) of cannabis rules. Cannabis “edibles” can • Higher risk of depression, • Cannabis may be legal for
(also known as dagga or look like harmless sweets or anxiety, and even suicidal adults, but it is not legal for
marijuana, or weed) for adults. snacks, BUT can be dangerous thoughts young people.
annabis is widely used in if eaten by children or have bad • Greater chance of addiction • Cannabis is a risk to your
CSouth Africa. While there This means adults can use side effects for teens. health, brain, and future are
is growing evidence for medical cannabis privately, but it is still Nearly half of young real.
use, there are also concerns for illegal for anyone under 18. The The government is working people admitted for drug • Know the facts, make
certain subpopulations with the law also says adults can’t use on better rules to keep young informed choices, and look
change in legalisation, including cannabis around children or teens. people safe from these products. treatment were under 18, out for yourself and your
young people. Why Does This Matter for How Many Teens Use and most said cannabis friends.
What Changaed? Young People? Cannabis? was the main drug that
In May 2024, South Africa Cannabis “edibles” (foods In South Africa, more teens are they used.
became the first African country containing cannabis) are not using cannabis than before. In
SAMRC’s Work in HIV, TB, and
Emerging Innovations
By: Catherine Orrell & Anitha Among its recent breakthroughs
Guptar is Lenacapavir (LEN), a new
HIV prevention product
t the SAMRC’s HIV and developed with HIDRU’s
AOther Infectious Diseases support. Expected to roll out
Research Unit (HIDRU), science in the public sector in 2026,
is deeply connected to everyday LEN offers a major step forward
life. Behind every study, every in HIV prevention. A single
data point, and every lab result injection every six months
is a commitment to improving replaces the need for daily
the health of people, families, tablets. HIDRU is also part of
and communities across South cutting-edge research into a
Africa. once-a-week oral antiretroviral
tablet, signalling a shift toward
The unit’s work focuses on more convenient, sustainable
HIV and tuberculosis (TB), two HIV treatment options.
diseases that continue to weigh
heavily on the country’s health Preventing HIV transmission
system. Through innovative from mothers to babies is
research, HIDRU is helping to another major focus. While
shape prevention, treatment, breastfeeding is essential
and service delivery strategies for protecting infants from
that make a real difference. infections like diarrhoea and
PedMAb Annual Meeting, Chatsworth CRS, June 2025
