Publication for comment: Draft Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Bill

22 January 2007

MEDIA STATEMENT

Publication for comment: Draft Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Bill

The Minister of Social Development, Dr Zola Skweyiya, has released for public
comment, the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Bill, aimed at assisting the country to curb the abuse of substances such as alcohol and illicit
drugs.

Dr Skweyiya intends to introduce the Bill to Parliament during 2007. The draft Bill will replace the outdated Prevention and Treatment of Drug Dependency Act of 1992.

South Africa has become a key player in the drug trade, as both a drug producing country (cannabis and mandrax) as well as a consumer country.

“Our country continues to experience increased levels of substance abuse. It is of serious concern to us that the age of first experimentation with substances has dropped to between nine and 10 years. The new legislation will promote more community based services, place greater emphasis on preventative services and will be more sensitive towards the needs of children who are so often the victims of unscrupulous drug dealers,’’ said Dr Skweyiya.

The South African Risk Survey conducted in 2004 indicates that nationally 49% of teenagers use alcohol, 31% smoke and 13% use dagga on regular basis and more young people are admitted for drug related problems.

It is estimated that the annual economic costs associated with alcohol misuse could be in the region of 0, 5% to 1, 9% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product. This translates to about R8, 7 billion a year. The figure for the misuse of both drugs and alcohol is approximately R10 billion a year.

“The far-reaching implications of substance abuse should not be under estimated. It threatens the stability of families and the future of our youth, influences criminal behaviour and contributes to poverty and unemployment. Substance abuse is also linked to car accidents and other forms of trauma, domestic violence and other social ills,’’ added Dr Skweyiya.

The objective of the Bill is to:-

(a) ensure a coordinated effort to reduce the supply and demand of substances of abuse;
(b) regulate the establishment, registration and management of treatment centres, in- and outpatient services, community-based services and halfway houses;
(c) promote research and information management in the field of substance abuse; and
(d) establish a Central Drug Authority to monitor and oversee the implementation of the National Drug Master Plan.

Accurate and current statistics on the supply and demand of alcohol and illicit drugs in South Africa is difficult to obtain. As part of the effort to address this matter, the Department will next month, on 11-14 February, host a National Drug Summit at the Forum Hotel in Johannesburg. The Summit will enable South Africa to obtain recent data on treatment, prevention, rehabilitation, aftercare and reintegration modalities in the country and abroad.

The draft Bill is available on the Department of Social Development’s website: www.socdev.gov.za. Hard copies can be obtained from Ms Connie Nxumalo Department of Social Development, 7th Floor, HSRC Building, 134 Pretorius Street, Pretoria, and Tel: (012) 312-7448. Comments can be mailed to Ms Nxumalo at Private Bag X901, Pretoria, 0001, fax number (012) 3127888 or e-mail: connyn@socdev.gov.za,.

Enquiries: Lakela Kaunda on 082 782 2575 or Lakela@mobileemail.vodafonesa.co.za.

Issued by the Department of Social Development
Pretoria