UNODC EMPHASIZES URGENT ACTION ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE DURING WORLD NO ALCOHOL DAY IN SWEETWATERS

Precious Mupenzi

• The UNODC has called for urgent action to address South Africa’s growing substance abuse crisis, particularly among People Who Inject Drugs (PWID), with alarming rates of Viral Hepatitis C infections. 
• At the World No Alcohol Day initiative in Sweetwaters, Mr. Devon De Koker from the UNODC emphasized the need for comprehensive strategies, particularly in rural areas, to support vulnerable populations and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
• He stressed the importance of improving drug treatment systems, scaling up harm reduction strategies, and ensuring access to healthcare services for all, including those in prison.

South Africa faces significant challenges related to substance abuse, including a growing population of People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) and alarming rates of Viral Hepatitis C infections. Mr Devon De Koker from the UNODC Regional Office for Southern Africa highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to tackle substance abuse in South Africa. The World No Alcohol Day commemoration, organised by the Department of Social Development in collaboration with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development, brought together community leaders and stakeholders to reflect on the country’s progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

As 2023 marks the halfway point to the SDGs deadline, Mr De Koker underscored the critical importance of SDG 13, which focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all. “Specifically, SDG target 3.5 is vital for strengthening the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drugs and harmful alcohol use,” he stated.

He drew attention to alarming statistics regarding the PWID population, estimated at over 82,000 in South Africa. The recently launched 2023 South African Bio-Behavioural Survey revealed troubling rates of Viral Hepatitis C infections, with a 90.5% prevalence among PWID in Mbombela, 89.1% in Tshwane, and 75.2% in eThekwini, the region where the initiative took place. “These results highlight the pressing challenges faced by PWID and the urgent need for a robust drug treatment system,” Mr De Koker remarked.

In light of these findings, he called for a critical reflection on the capacity of South Africa’s drug treatment system to address substance use disorders effectively. He pointed out the launch of the International Programme for Quality Assurance in Drug Use Disorder Treatment (PIQAT) by UNODC and the National Department of Social Development, aimed at enhancing treatment quality across the country. “This initiative revealed a significant unmet treatment need among individuals who use and inject drugs in South Africa,” he explained.

Mr De Koker emphasised the importance of ensuring access to comprehensive treatment services across all provinces, particularly in rural areas. “Vulnerable populations, including injecting drug users, people living with HIV, and members of the LGBTQI+ community, often face stigma and discrimination that prevent them from accessing necessary health services,” he said. He reiterated that quality drug treatment services should be available to everyone, including those in prison.

He called for the scaling up of harm reduction strategies, including Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) and needle syringe exchange programmes. “If we do not prioritise these issues, more individuals will be left behind in achieving good health and well-being, hindering our progress towards the SDGs and the National Development Plan,” he cautioned.

Looking ahead to the end of the current National Drug Master Plan in 2024, Mr De Koker urged stakeholders to intensify harm reduction and collaboration within the drug treatment system. “We must focus on protecting our children and young people from the repercussions of drug use through effective prevention and community-level interventions,” he stated.

As he concluded, Mr De Koker encouraged community members to consider the complex drug situation facing South Africa, which includes transnational organised crime and the rise of synthetic drugs. He stressed the importance of designing innovative solutions and integrated drug policies that prioritise the needs of people who use and inject drugs.

“UNODC is committed to working with the South African government and all stakeholders to change the current trajectory for those affected by substance use,” he affirmed, expressing hope for a collaborative future.