FROM AWARENESS TO ACTION: MPUMALANGA COMMUNITY MOBILISES AGAINST DRUG ABUSE

By DSD News.

• The Department of Social Development and the Central Drug Authority have launched a week-long outreach campaign in Mpumalanga to tackle rising drug abuse
• The initiative brings drug education and prevention efforts directly to high-risk areas like Standerton in Gert Sibande District
•  The campaign leads up to the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, placing focus on youth, public health, and organised crime

The Department of Social Development, in partnership with the Central Drug Authority, has been engaging communities across Gert Sibande District, Mpumalanga, through a targeted week-long outreach focused on substance abuse prevention, education and recovery support.
Running from 22 to 25 June, the campaign marks South Africa’s observance of National Drug Awareness Week and forms part of the country’s commitment to the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, commemorated globally on 26 June.
Officials have visited local schools, taverns, churches and other community spaces in a bid to start honest conversations about the dangers of drugs and the impact of addiction. With a growing number of children reportedly experimenting with drugs as early as age 10, prevention has become a top priority.
The Department’s efforts are guided by the pillars of the National Drug Master Plan, which focus on reducing demand, limiting supply and mitigating harm. The interventions place strong emphasis on both prevention and treatment, aiming to support individuals and communities affected by substance use disorders.
According to recent data from the South African Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use, alcohol and cannabis remain the most commonly used substances across provinces. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has also flagged South Africa as a key regional hub for illicit drug trafficking, underlining the need for urgent and coordinated action.
Standerton, located in Lekwa Local Municipality near Mozambique and Eswatini, was chosen as the official site for this year’s IDADAIT commemoration due to its proximity to major regional routes. The area has recently come under the spotlight following significant drug-related arrests and the discovery of underground laboratories used in the manufacture of illicit substances.
In April, law enforcement recovered R20 million worth of drug-making materials and arrested six suspects in Standerton. A month later, another lab was discovered on Rooikopen farm, confirming the area’s status as a hotspot in the regional drug trade.
As the week-long campaign concludes, the Department of Social Development is calling on all sectors of society to take responsibility and join the fight against drugs. The commemoration of IDADAIT 2025 will serve not only as a day of reflection but as a rallying point for ongoing action to protect youth, strengthen public health, and dismantle organised crime networks.