​Last week, the Gauteng Department of Social Development together with the Central Drug Authority (CDA) held a Public Consultation and Engagement on the Implementation of the National Drug Master Plan at Ratanda Community Hall in Sedibeng.
According to the CDA, Deputy chairperson Nomcebo Dlamini, the primary objective of the engagement is to consult and share information about the Implementation of the National Drug Master Plan and to ensure that people understand the work of the Central Drug Authority.

Dlamini said the National Drug Master Plan (NDMP) was drafted by the stipulations of the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act (No 70 of 2008). It reflects the country’s responses to the substance abuse problem as set out by the United Nations Conventions and other international bodies. She added that the NDMP enables cooperation between government and stakeholders in the field of substance use and abuse prevention.

“The NDMP outlines the role that each department should play in addressing substance use and abuse. It also acknowledges the significant contribution in this regard of various departments and agencies in the country. The Master Plan is like a guide to everyone who is involved in fighting substance abuse and the plan clearly outlines what we supposed to do in our endeavor to fight drugs in our streets”, added Dlamini.

She said as an agency they appreciate the work that is carried out by various Non-Profit Organizations on the ground and encourage them to continue to implement the NDMP in the fight against substance abuse.

Dlamini emphasized the need to come together as communities and as a nation to fight this fast-growing use of substances by young people in the streets. “This is no longer a problem for the government, it is a problem for everyone, it affects us one way or the other, we parents are the ones who are supposed to stand up and help government to fight and remove these drugs in our streets”, she added.

Highlighting challenges they face in their fight against substance use on the streets of Sedibeng, Social Work Manager Khumo Kgomoeswana, said the issue of infrastructure, youth unemployment and the use of dagga in schools is one of the major drivers.

The Central Drug Authority is an authority with a mandate to plan, coordinate, oversee, mentor, and evaluate the implementation of National Drug Master Plan. It also serves as an advisory body with a mandate to fighting against substance abuse.