Speaker, the ANC wishes to congratulate the Department of Trade and Industry for hosting Sobriety Week, a national campaign aimed at creating awareness of the adverse effects of alcohol. In its second year, Sobriety Week is targeting the youth and women, especially pregnant women. This coincides with International Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Day.
"Combating alcohol abuse is everyone's business" is the theme driving the 2012 campaign which was launched on Friday, 7 September, by the Deputy Minister, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe. She has teamed up with all the provinces, beginning in the North West, and will be going to KwaZulu-Natal and another four provinces.
The campaign is also highlighting the high-risk behaviours related to alcohol abuse, such as violence, risky sexual activity and the spread of Aids.
The DTI should also be congratulated for underpinning compliance measures with a powerful awareness campaign and programmes. This sets an example to the private sector and should encourage them. Furthermore, the government is also using Sobriety Week to encourage behavioural change among South Africans by offering programme alternatives that create an enabling environment for communities to participate in the mainstream economy. It is also encouraging activism among all concerned members of the public.