IMPROVING DRUG TREATMENT SERVICES: EXPERTS GATHER IN SOUTH AFRICA FOR KEY WORKSHOP

By Precious Mupenzi

• As global drug use continues to rise, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are working to adapt international quality standards for drug prevention and treatment.
• South Africa, facing its own drug crisis with an estimated 10-15% of its population struggling with substance abuse, is hosting a workshop to align global standards with national needs, involving key stakeholders from the Department of Social Development (DSD) and the Central Drug Authority (CDA).
• The workshop aims to develop contextually relevant quality assurance tools, revise existing legislation, and strengthen partnerships, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of drug treatment services across the country.

As global drug use continues to rise, posing a serious public health challenge, experts worldwide are focusing on adapting key international quality standards to enhance drug prevention and treatment efforts. According to the World Drug Report 2023, the number of drug users has significantly increased over the past decade, driven largely by global population growth and a large youth demographic. In response, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have developed the International Standards for the Treatment of Drug Use Disorders and the Programme for International Quality Treatment (PIQAT), aimed at ensuring high-quality care globally.

South Africa is no exception to this growing crisis. An estimated 10-15% of the population grapples with substance abuse issues, making drug use disorders a major national concern. According to the UNODC, cannabis remains the most commonly abused substance in the country, accounting for nearly 40% of treatment admissions in public facilities. Despite the availability of treatment centres, access remains limited, particularly in rural areas, due to overcrowding, underfunding, and stigma.

In light of these challenges, the UNODC is convening a workshop on the Adaptation of Key Quality Standards for Service Appraisal for the Quality Assurance in Treatment for Drug Use Disorders, from 27 to 29 August 2024 at the Holiday Inn Hotel, OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg. The workshop brings together experts, representatives from all nine provinces, and members of civil society, with the Department of Social Development (DSD) and the Central Drug Authority (CDA) playing a leading role. As the custodian of the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act, 2008 (Act No. 70 of 2008), the DSD is responsible for the development and enforcement of minimum norms and standards for treatment centres. The participation of both the DSD and CDA underscores the importance of aligning global insights with national strategies to improve drug prevention and treatment in South Africa.

Key themes addressed at the workshop include national minimum norms and standards, the implementation of web-assisted tools, measures to assess the quality of drug use disorder treatment services in South Africa, and strengthening partnerships through field visits.

Speaking at the workshop, Dr. Guru Kistnasamy of the Central Drug Authority (CDA) emphasised the need for developing quality assurance tools that are both effective and contextually relevant.

“The importance is that we are looking for qualitative assurance tools that could be used by treatment centres,” said Dr. Kistnasamy. “We are looking at aligning these to our unique needs while keeping in line with international requirements. These tools are critical to how we evaluate treatment centres.”

Dr. Kistnasamy also noted that the workshop’s outcomes would play a crucial role in the revision of the 2008 legislation governing treatment centres, ultimately improving their operational effectiveness and accountability. “The information solutions that will be provided by this workshop will be taken into account in revising the 2008 legislation on treatment centres,” he added.

He further highlighted the importance of provincial involvement in the process, stating that it is “critical to ensure information dissemination.” According to Dr. Kistnasamy, the workshop’s outcome will be “a comprehensive report aimed at guiding future prevention strategies and research, offering valuable insights to policymakers, practitioners, and researchers worldwide.”

The workshop takes place as the world prepares to mark International Overdose Awareness Day on Friday, 30 August 2024—a poignant reminder of the urgent need for effective, high-quality drug treatment solutions at both national and international levels.