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Podcasts and other audio media

Mysterious death of 21 teens raises debate about underage drinking in South Africa

On Wednesday, South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, said the country is losing “future generations to the scourge of underage drinking” at a ceremony remembering 21 teenagers who died mysteriously in a tavern in South Africa last month. The youngest was just 13. While the cause of death for the teenagers remains unclear, the tragedy has sparked a debate in the country over alcohol consumption, particularly underage drinking. Charles Parry, director of the Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drug Research Unit of the South Africa Medical Research Council, spoke to Marco Werman from Cape Town.

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Cyril Ramaphosa calls on South Africans to do more to combat underage drinking

Prof Parry: Liquor restrictions- a move in right direction but given timing too little too late

Level 3 Nation Address | Expert post analysis

Alcohol Abuse and Covid-19: Two colliding epidemics

NCC meet virtually to decide on alcohol restriction at Covid-19 hotspots

Ramaphosa eases lockdown level 1 restrictions – including international travel and alcohol sales

Could we see a second Covid-19 wave in Western Cape following the Tin Roof 'super-spreader' jol?

South Africa needs to implement certain evidenced-based measures to heavy drinking that industry will never agree to- Prof Parry

We will re-evaluate alcohol ban regularly, Dlamini-Zuma says

Charting a healthier way forward for alcohol in SA, now and into the future

The alcohol ban will impact on hosp admissions - how do we overturn or binge drinking culture in SA?

Ramaphosa puts down the bottle - Immediate ban on alcohol sales

President Ramaphosa warns about booze and GBV

Lifting of alcohol ban floods South African hospitals with trauma cases

Government wants 100% smoking ban in public areas and a zero blood alcohol driving limit

Curbing the harmful use of alcohol in the country

Modeling trauma unit admissions that will reoccur if liquor sales resume


Expert calls for better strategies to curb learners' alcohol abuse

A 2011 study has revealed that 66% of learners across the Westen Cape province are abusing alcohol.

The research conducted among grades 8 to 10 learners also found that the most frequently reported substance used was alcohol, with 66% of learners reporting its use out of a group of 20,227 sampled.

John Maytham speaks to South African Medical Research Council director of alcohol, tobacco and other drug research unit Professor Charles Parry on the matter. Read the complete article on Cape Talk

Date: Wednesday, July 31, 2019 - 09:53


Restricting or banning alcohol advertising to reduce alcohol consumption in adults and adolescents

Misuse of alcohol is a major public health challenge around the world. One strategy that has been tried to minimise the harm is the banning of alcohol promotion and advertising. The evidence on the effects of this has been investigated in a Cochrane Review that was published in November 2014. One of the authors, Charles Parry from the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Unit in the South African Medical Research Council, discusses its findings and implications.

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Date: Friday, January 1, 2016 - 11:17


SA teens over-the-counter codeine addiction spikes

Many teenagers are getting addicted to a drug combo dubbed 'lean' on the streets. it is comprised of codeine-based cough syrup and sugary drinks.

Codeine is available at pharmacies over-the-counter without prescription but it is an opiate-based drug and so has similar properties to heroin.

Drug rehab centres are being inundated with children hooked on the drug.

The codeine cough-syrup surge is seen as a warning of a burgeoning social problem, underscored by rampant truancy at schools and plummeting marks.

The mix of codeine-based cough syrups with soft drinks to make the concoction called 'lean' or 'purple', mimics a heroin high.

Refilwe Moloto speaks to South African Medical Research Council director of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit and COO at Independent Community Pharmacy Association Ahmed Bayat about the concerns with the drug. Read the full article on Cape Talk.

Date: Tuesday, July 30, 2019 - 11:11


No amount of booze is good for your health, medical study finds

No amount of booze is good for your health, medical study finds - Article available on
Cape Talk Website

Alcohol use and burden for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2016:
a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016
 - Study available on The Lancet

Date: Monday, August 27, 2018 - 11:52


Views on reducing BAC levels in drivers to zero

Professor Charles Parry, Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drug Research Unit, Radio 702, 3 February 2015

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Date: Tuesday, February 3, 2015 - 09:51