KWAZULU-NATAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PAVES WAY FOR INTEGRATED APPROACH TO COMBAT SUBSTANCE ABUSE

By Mthobisi Mbanjwa 

• The Department of Social Development held a Provincial Substance Abuse Forum, bringing together stakeholders to develop a cohesive strategy for addressing substance abuse across the province.
• Led by MEC Mbali Shinga, the forum emphasised a multi-faceted approach combining prevention, treatment, law enforcement, and socio-economic interventions to address both the demand and supply sides of substance abuse.
• Key discussions highlighted the importance of strong governance, aligned provincial and national strategies, and community-based programmes to tackle the root causes of addiction and support affected individuals and families.

In a continued effort to address the growing substance abuse crisis, the Department of Social Development convened a diverse group of stakeholders at the Provincial Substance Abuse Forum held today at the Wentworth Skills Development Centre.

The gathering marked a crucial step towards creating a unified, multi-faceted strategy to combat substance abuse in the province. MEC for Social Development, Ms Mbali Shinga, highlighted the importance of collective action in addressing the root causes and far-reaching impacts of substance abuse. “Substance abuse does not affect individuals in isolation—it impacts families, communities, and entire generations,” said Shinga. “We are committed to a strategy that incorporates prevention, treatment, law enforcement, and socio-economic interventions.”

Central to the forum’s discussions was the proposal to reduce demand for illegal substances by improving access to treatment services, rehabilitation, and aftercare programmes. MEC Shinga emphasised that effective recovery requires not only addressing addiction but also supporting individuals as they reintegrate into society. “Rehabilitation and recovery are critical parts of the solution,” she stated. “We cannot forget that people need continued support after they leave treatment.”

In addition to demand reduction, the forum acknowledged the vital role of law enforcement in tackling substance supply. Collaborating with Proactive Law Enforcement, authorities are working to disrupt the trafficking and distribution of illegal drugs in the province. “We need to break the supply chain that enables this crisis,” MEC Shinga said. “Our law enforcement agencies are a crucial part of this effort.”

The forum also stressed the importance of aligning provincial policies with national strategies, ensuring cohesive and coordinated efforts in combating substance abuse. Governance and accountability emerged as recurring themes, with stakeholders emphasising the need for transparent, efficient implementation of initiatives.

“We must ensure that every programme is implemented with the highest level of accountability,” MEC Shinga remarked. “Our communities deserve to see real, tangible results.”

Addressing the socio-economic drivers of substance abuse, including poverty, unemployment, and lack of education, was another critical focus. Dr Guru Kitnasany from the Drug Action Committee highlighted the importance of addressing these underlying issues as part of a comprehensive response. “Substance abuse is deeply rooted in socio-economic factors,” Dr Kitnasany explained. “To truly address the problem, we need to invest in tackling these root causes, such as poverty and lack of opportunity, alongside drug treatment and prevention.”

Deputy Director-General of the Department of Social Development, Mrs Phili Mhlongo, presented the Provincial Drug Master Plan, a key initiative aimed at coordinating a multi-sectoral response to substance abuse. The plan prioritises enhancing treatment and rehabilitation services, expanding community-based prevention programmes, and integrating educational strategies to prevent drug use from an early age.

“We must educate and empower our youth to make better choices before they are ever at risk,” Mhlongo said. “Prevention must be as central to our efforts as treatment.”

Both MEC Shinga and Dr Kitnasany emphasised the need for strong leadership and effective governance to ensure the success of the Provincial Drug Master Plan.

The discussions underscored that a collaborative, sustained effort across government, law enforcement, civil society, and the private sector is essential to reduce substance abuse and its impact on communities.

“This challenge is too great for any one entity to solve on its own,” MEC Shinga concluded. “We all have a role to play in ensuring that we break the cycle of addiction and build a healthier, more productive province.”