SOUTH AFRICA PARTICIPATES IN GLOBAL DIALOGUE ON DRUG POLICY REFORM

By Precious Mupenzi.

• ⁠South Africa, led by Deputy Minister Ganief Hendricks, joined international lawmakers in Vienna to advance evidence-based and compassionate drug policies.
• ⁠The meeting highlighted South Africa’s commitment to prevention, treatment, and human rights, aligning local laws with global best practices.
• This engagement forms part of the country’s broader efforts to reduce the social harms of substance abuse and prepare for the 2026 UN session on the world drug problem.

The Department of Social Development, represented by Deputy Minister Ganief Hendricks, took part in the Global Meeting of the International Network for Legislation on Drugs from 24 to 25 June at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime headquarters in Vienna. The INLoD platform brought together lawmakers, parliamentarians and policy experts from around the world to advance legislative reform towards more effective, compassionate and evidence-based substance use policies. The meeting marked a milestone in global efforts to address substance use through the lens of public health, development and human rights.
As the lead institution administering South Africa’s Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act, the Department of Social Development used the occasion to reaffirm the country’s commitment to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration.
Deputy Minister Hendricks participated in a high-level panel on protecting public health, sharing South Africa’s efforts to make treatment services widely accessible. “South Africa is pleased to participate in this inaugural meeting of UNODC and INLoD, promoting the sharing of good practices and experiences,” he said. “The government is committed to providing accessible, affordable, and evidence-based prevention and treatment programmes for individuals with drug use disorders.”
He noted that South Africa is working with the UNODC to review its Quality Assurance Framework for treatment services. The country has more than 307 private treatment centres and 13 public centres, with state-run facilities offering free care. Hendricks also spoke of investments in developing the workforce to deliver age-appropriate interventions for children, supported by the Universal Treatment Curriculum.
In stressing the importance of prevention, he pointed to national awareness campaigns in schools, higher education institutions and community settings. He also highlighted South Africa’s progressive approach to juvenile justice. “South Africa does not incarcerate children for possession of drugs. Instead, they are referred to diversion programmes, in line with the Child Justice Act,” he said.
Hendricks further outlined the work of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Substance Abuse, which comprises 13 Cabinet Ministers and provides strategic oversight of the National Drug Master Plan through the Central Drug Authority.
On the sidelines of the conference, the Deputy Minister met with senior event organisers who expressed interest in peer-reviewing South Africa’s National Drug Master Plan and collaborating on shared priorities, including addressing synthetic drugs. Hendricks also committed to engaging SADC representatives to strengthen regional responses to substance abuse.
South Africa’s participation followed a UNODC invitation and forms part of its efforts to align national policies with international standards, feeding into preparations for the 2026 United Nations General Assembly Special Session on the World Drug Problem. Through platforms like INLoD, South Africa continues to advocate for a science-driven, human rights-based approach to drug policy that upholds the dignity and development of affected individuals and communities.