SEDIBENG.- The Department of Social Development (DSD) hosted a two-day conference last week to review the five-year plan that has been guiding the fight against substance abuse in South Africa.

The gathering sought fresh inputs into the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act, 2008 (Act No. 17 of 2008),which provides the national framework for preventing, treating, and rehabilitating those affected by substance abuse.

The Act promotes prevention, rehabilitation, and reintegration while regulating treatment centres and ensuring coordinated national action through the Central Drug Authority. The event drew a wide range of participants, including representatives from the office of Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM), pastors, chiefdom leaders, traditional healers, and rehabilitation centres such as FRC, Lesedi La Batjha, Jamela, Toughest
Young Minds, Sanca Vaal Triangle, and Mercy Angel Rehabilitation Centre, as well as the South African Independence Council of Churches.

During discussions, Pastor Mokoena raised a critical question regarding the Act’s three pillars— Demand Reduction, Harm Reduction, and Supply Reduction. He asked why spiritual leadership had been excluded from the list of stakeholders, despite the important role pastors once played in ministering holistically within schools and communities.

Adding to the debate, a speaker from Dr. F&F Rehabilitation Centre emphasised the urgency of addressing drug supply directly.

“As long as the tap of supply is still open, we will forever deal with this problem of drugs as a nation,” he stated, echoing concerns shared by many delegates.

The review highlighted both the progress and challenges of the past five years, underscoring the need for a more inclusive and collaborative approach, bringing together government, faith leaders, traditional authorities, and community organisations, to effectively tackle substance abuse moving forward.