The eMalahleni Local Drug Action Committee (LDAC) was recently launched.

The committee aims to make sure that it came with a plan to fight drug abuse. 

The committee launch was held on Wednesday, November 23 and they were appointed by the Executive Mayor of Emalahleni Clr Connie Nkalitshana.

A municipality must establish an LDAC to represent such a municipality and to give effect to the Mini Drug Master Plan.

The LDAC must consist of interested persons and stakeholders who are involved in organisations dealing with combating substance abuse in the municipality in question. 

The Department of Social Development is mandated by Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse to facilitate the establishment of LDACs in the municipalities to enhance the prevention and treatment of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking services effectively.

LDACs are the structures on a local level that coordinate and report the activities implemented by stakeholders from different government departments, the private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGO’s) and faith-based organisations (FBO’s) sectors, to prevent and combat substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking within the municipalities.

They also meant to give effect to the National Drug Master Plan (NDMP).

These committees are made up of bodies or people from all sectors involved in substance abuse and related social ills in the municipalities.

Such stakeholders include among others, justice, police, probation and correctional services, education (schools), health, sports, arts and culture, social development and community structures’ officials.

Local authorities develop and maintain integrated drug policies in collaboration with all stakeholders in order to prevent drug-related crime and ensure the quality of life for residents at the community level.

The LDACs ensure that local action is taken in terms of the National Drug Master Plan in each community. 

The functions of the Local Drug Action Committee are to give effect to the National Drug Master Plan and to compile and implement an action plan to combat substance abuse in the jurisdiction of the municipality.

The LDAC must give annual feedback to the Provincial Substance Abuse Forum and Central Drug Authority (CDA). 

Mr Marcus Masemola, chairperson of the Provincial Substance Abuse Forum outlined the duties of the committee and told that they have huge responsibilities ahead of them as eMalahleni was one of the areas with a large number of drug users in the country.

Masemola also pointed out that there were several areas of concern, like schools and known hotspots and the committee must work very hard to identify challenges and come out with solutions to the challenges.

The committee must work hand in hand with the police to conduct roadblocks, and close illegal taverns.

The committee must have a plan of action, a must plan for the year to implement their actions. A two-day seminar was proposed for all the members.

The members of the committee are: Themba Nkosi (chairperson), Croswell Libazi (deputy chairperson), Jabulile Kubheka (secretary), President Mahlangu, (deputy secretary), Bheki Mhlambi (treasurer). Four other members in governance and research and four additional members were also elected to the committee. 

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