NEW PATH CHARTED IN FIGHT AGAINST SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AT UNODC WORKSHOP

By Precious Mupenzi

• The UNODC workshop on Quality Assurance in Treatment for Drug Use Disorders concluded in Johannesburg, focusing on adapting quality standards and improving service appraisal to enhance treatment outcomes for drug use disorders in South Africa.
• Local and international experts, including Professor Goodman Sibeko and Dr. Reychad Abdool, led discussions on strengthening partnerships, refining evaluation methodologies, and developing community-based interventions to address the country’s growing substance use disorder challenges.
• The workshop highlighted the need for standardised guidelines, robust evaluation tools, and alignment with international standards to ensure consistent, high-quality treatment services across all provinces.

The third and final day of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) workshop on Quality Assurance in Treatment for Drug Use Disorders concluded today at the Holiday Inn, OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg. This engagement, which focused on adapting key quality standards for service appraisal, brought together local and international experts to chart a way forward for South Africa in addressing the treatment of drug use disorders.

Key sessions on the concluding day centred on strengthening field visits through partnerships and refining evaluation methodologies for quality assurance. Leading these discussions were two prominent figures in the field of addiction treatment and mental health: Associate Professor Goodman Sibeko and Dr. Reychad Abdool.

Professor Goodman Sibeko, Head of the Division of Addiction Psychiatry at the University of Cape Town and Director of the US-funded International Technology Transfer Centre – South Africa, is a leading expert on task-sharing models that empower non-specialist workers to deliver mental health and addiction care. His work focuses on integrating treatment for substance use, mental health, and HIV, with a specific emphasis on community-based interventions. His international collaborations are driving efforts to strengthen mental health training for community health workers globally.

Dr. Reychad Abdool, a distinguished public health expert from Mauritius, brings over 35 years of experience in the prevention and treatment of drug use, as well as HIV care for vulnerable populations, particularly people who inject drugs. Formerly the Senior Regional Drug and HIV Adviser with the UNODC, Dr. Abdool now serves as an international consultant to various organisations, including the African Union and the Global Fund. His expertise spans policy development, organisational management, and both pharmacological and psychosocial treatment interventions. Dr. Abdool’s work has significantly influenced drug control policies across Africa and the Middle East.

Today’s session emphasised the importance of enhancing partnerships and implementing robust evaluation methodologies to ensure that South Africa’s drug use disorder treatment services meet the highest quality standards. As the country grapples with the increasing prevalence of substance use disorders, discussions highlighted the need for a multi-faceted approach that leverages community health workers, evidence-based interventions, and sustainable partnerships.

The workshop brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, healthcare professionals, and international experts, all committed to strengthening South Africa’s capacity to address drug use disorders. The focus now shifts to implementing the ideas and strategies discussed over the three-day engagement.

Spanning three days, the workshop focused on quality assurance in treatment for drug use disorders and identified areas needing improvement, particularly in service user access to treatment and recovery management. Participants called for the standardisation of guidelines to guide the registration process of treatment centres and address gaps and bottlenecks, ensuring uniformity across the country.

Reflecting on the workshop, Dr. Guru Kistnasamy of the Central Drug Authority noted that discussions were intense, focusing on evaluating instruments used, particularly considering language, cultural diversity, and individual differences. He highlighted the shortcomings, including the lack of effective evaluation tools and insufficient competency among service providers, which were addressed comprehensively. “We have arrived at a draft final instrument that will address these shortcomings and ensure consistency across provinces,” Kistnasamy said.

Joaehny Campher, Social Work Policy Developer responsible for Substance Abuse in the Western Cape Department of Social Development, described the workshop as insightful, contributing to critical discussions on improving service quality for those with Substance Use Disorders (SUD). He emphasised the importance of aligning national norms and standards with UNODC’s international standards to ensure quality assurance across provinces.

Mr. Lekolo Matsenyane, Provincial Manager for the Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse in the Free State, highlighted the robust discussions held during the workshop. He acknowledged the good work done by treatment centres while noting the areas needing improvement to meet international standards. Matsenyane stressed the need for developing and reviewing protocols to better align with global standards and noted that the workshop had enhanced participants’ technical skills for effective monitoring and evaluation. He expressed hope that the training would be implemented across provinces.

Ms. Zodwa Dlamini, Deputy Director of Substance Abuse from KwaZulu-Natal, added that with the current review of national legislation, the workshop’s timing was ideal for incorporating the valuable inputs raised into this process.

Ms. Desary Carlinsky, Director of Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation in Gauteng, noted the identified gaps where standards are not being met. She called for a review of current services to ensure qualified personnel and continuous professional development for those in the SUD field. Carlinsky emphasised that the session’s checklist provided a valuable guideline for stakeholder involvement in planning, service provision, monitoring, and evaluation, all crucial for improving the quality of services in treatment centres across South Africa.

The workshop has laid the foundation for South Africa to elevate the quality of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment services by fostering collaboration, refining protocols, and aligning with international standards. Central to this effort is the commitment to improving quality assurance in treatment, with a focus on utilising non-specialist workers, strengthening partnerships with international organisations, and enhancing evaluation methodologies. These steps will not only boost treatment outcomes for those affected by addiction but also contribute to building a healthier, more resilient society.

As the UNODC workshop concluded, the consensus was clear: South Africa stands at a pivotal point in its fight against drug use disorders, and the progress made during the workshop will serve as a blueprint for the future.