SPEECH BY MEC AGRICULTURE AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ON THE OCCASION TO COMMEMORATE THE INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING

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1 26 June 2016 SPEECH BY MEC AGRICULTURE AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ON THE OCCASION TO COMMEMORATE THE INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING Programme Director, Bomme le bontate, Dumelang, Sanibonani! I thank you all for honouring our invitation to share and discuss issues that impact our ordinary daily lives. We take your presence very seriously since it affords us an opportunity to share our vision as government and hopefully create an environment of working together to creating a caring and self-reliant society just as our vision maintains. Your participation in recent general elections and the results thereof has sustained the ANC led Government s mandate of nation building, eradication of poverty, and creating a just and democratic society. We are thus humbled to present ourselves as the Department of Social Development whose mission is to transform our society by building conscious and capable citizens through the provisioning of integrated social development services. In pursuit of our mission statement, may I as captain of this ship, assure you that you will see our officials, regardless of their rank and title in your communities more regularly, with vigour and rolled sleeves to transform and move our communities from the clutches of welfare to that of a development oriented society. Siyabangena remains our war cry as social activists so that no amount of excuses may be entertained. Let me explain our reason for our meeting this day; The 26 th of June is declared the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking by the United Nations. Thanks to our democracy and our recognition as a member of international communities, South Africa through the Department of Social Development also participates in global activities that promote the awareness of dangers associated with the use and trafficking of illicit drugs and alcohol abuse. International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking Page 1

2 We therefore embrace The United Nation s theme for 2014 which is A message of hope: Drug use disorders are preventable and treatable. Against this background, we are compelled as Gauteng province to embrace such activities considering our responsibility as a hub of economic and social development in Sub Saharan and continental Africa. Undoubtedly, our reputation as a province that is overly populated yet small in geographic size and endowed with economic activities, makes us more vulnerable to social ills and challenges of insurmountable proportions. Amongst such ills, drug trafficking and abuse of alcohol have swollen as our Archilles heel to an extent where ordinary lives and potential for both human and socio-economic development are threatened. The fact that a greater percentage of our population in the province are young citizens should sound alarm bells for a concise strategy and approach in addressing the matter. According to a report on alcohol and drug abuse trends in South Africa by The South African Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (SACENDU), a) Between July 1996 and June 2013, Gauteng Province had about 77% of Black African drug and alcohol patients younger than 20 years (abantwana ba yagula!) b) Alcohol is still the most common primary substance among patients seen at specialist treatment centres across all sites with 37% in Gauteng Province. c) Cannabis or Dagga was the second most common primary substance of abuse in Gauteng Province at 29%. d) Heroin appears to be more of a male phenomenon like other drugs such as cannabis and Mandrax. During the same period in Gauteng Province 9% of patients with heroin as the primary substances of abuse were female and 77% were Black African Closer to home, our reason for gathering this day was informed by snapshot survey conducted in the Sedibeng Region in October 2010 that targeted 1190 households (581 males and 609 females). The report indicated that, a) Commonly used drugs in the community are alcohol, cigarettes, nyaope, dagga, glue, heroin, cocaine and over the counter medication. International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking Page 2

3 b) There is a notable increase on the number of people using intravenous method of taking nyaope in Sebokeng and Bophelong. As a result there is a high prevalence of HIV infections amongst the people who are injecting Nyaope. c) About 45% of the respondents that participated on the rapid assessment indicated that someone in the family is abusing drugs or alcohol. d) The communities sighted that substance abuse affected them negatively as it contributes amongst others; to violence, anger, divorce, family breakdown, school drop-outs, domestic violence etc. Fellow Citizens, The above findings and many others immediately prick our conscience to mobilize all sectors of our communities to take a stand against trafficking and abuse of illicit drugs and alcohol. Whilst the focus of the survey had been on Sedibeng, may I caution against complacency that may assume that our province is not entirely affected. Reference to Eldorado Park paints a harrowing picture whilst the situation in Ekangala further confirms the extent of the challenge. May I also state that the problem is also prevalent in urban, modern and upwardly mobile communities such that it would be a delusion to apportion reference to historically disadvantaged communities only. We are also aware of the sophistication that surrounds the packaging and taking of drugs and alcohol perhaps a subtly sinister and dangerous ploy by manufacturers and producers to attract and destroy a naïve youth market. For example, we note that hubbly-bubbly pipes are now preferred gadgets that make users to mingle and smoke in public places without any fear of reproach. We also note that bottling companies produce designer alcohol containers that make users feel more hip and fashionable to lift and guzzle deadly concoctions. All of a sudden, the colour of alcohol includes bright yellow, green, purple, red, crisp gold and any designer colour that evokes a sense of stature and prestige. Bottles and cans have curves and style!!! In addition, traditional methods of rolling tobacco in ordinary brown paper are now substituted by glam-looking Rizzlars that are publicly obtainable over counters in spaza-shops, and major retail stores. International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking Page 3

4 With such realities and considering our mission statement, the Department of Social Development as a lead agent must collaborate with relevant departments and stakeholders, to coordinate the following interventions: Demand reduction: aimed at reducing demand by discouraging the use and abuse of substances by members of the public; Supply reduction: aimed at stopping the production and distribution of liquor, illicit substances and associated crimes through law enforcement strategies as provided for in applicable laws; Harm reduction: aimed at the provision of holistic treatment to service users and their families, and mitigating the social, psychological and health impact of substance abuse. Whilst your question might be; What has the Gauteng Provincial Government done to address the problem? My answer would be; the Department has designed and implemented an integrated service for substance abuse prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. Through this, about beneficiaries as stated in our Annual Report of 2014/15 were serviced. Programmes like Ke-Moja, our collaboration with State Funded NPOs, creation of In-patient and Out-patient Centres and much more has yielded positive results. For example; a) The Department has intensified its substance abuse treatment interventions by funding 32 Out-patient Substance Abuse Treatment Centres b) The Department funds 10 In-patient Treatment Centres managed by NPO s. The funded In-patient Centres have a total bed capacity of 182 (135 beds for adults and 47 children). The only state treatment centre has a bed capacity of 293 (200 adult men, 36 adult females, 37 boys, 20 girls). c) In Sedibeng Region, the Department funds only 1 Inpatient Treatment Centre for 15 beds per month and 3 Out-patient Treatment Centres namely d) The Department collaborates with Toughest Young Minds, SANCA Vaal Triangle and SANCA Heidelburg. e) The Department has also established a Substance Abuse Hotline whose numbers are f) The Department has also established an SMS contact service with numbers for easy access to helpful information International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking Page 4

5 Whilst we may be tempted to celebrate government s efforts, it is still the responsibility of citizens to simply embrace a healthy lifestyle through active participation in sports, the pursuit of personal development hobbies and many feelgood events that have a bearing on creating socially cohesive and healthy communities. In stating the above, may I hasten to congratulate the community of Ekangala for proactively addressing the scourge of nyaope by supporting a group of users that had personally undertaken to stop their addiction. Whilst we applaud the manner in which the community has practically demonstrated that it takes a village to raise a child, the Department is however obligated by legislation to ensure that this initiative operates within the confines of the law. I also believe that our intervention and our collaboration with various stakeholders is poised to create lessons for best-practice model that can be further extended in other communities. We may recall that we embarked on the Eldorado Park Intersectoral Drug Intervention Plan, a strategy that has recorded evidence of success in the three pillars namely; demand, supply and harm reduction. For example; Three offices have been set up at Mount Carmel Church to service all queries and needs of the Community. A total of 13 Social Workers and 1 Social Auxiliary Worker are rendering social work interventions in Eldoradopark and surrounding areas 10 appointed by the Department of Social Development (2 for intake, 4 field work,2 for prevention and awareness, 2 social workers are designated for school intervention programmes in terms of substance abuse, child headed households (CHH) and orphan, vulnerable children (OVC) 3 are contracted through Bosasa to do early intervention programmes like the (Bright Star Programme) A Toll-free Number ( ) linked to the five Social Workers has been set up to assist with information and any queries A Help Desk which provides Information & Intake services is functional To reduce demand for drugs through education, promotion and awareness, the Department achieved the following milestones:- International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking Page 5

6 A total of 2672 beneficiaries were reached through this substance abuse awareness and prevention programs. 16 Ke-Moja Volunteers dedicated to the Programme reached total of 1113 children and 1224 youth Skills development programme offering 85 Skills Development programmes reached 58 children and 16 youth. 5 children were removed by Child Protection Unit in Substance Abuse related cases and placed in various places of safety The Department expanded the bed capacity to address the increasing need for In-patient treatment at the centre. The Centre has a Doctor available once a week, whilst a nursing Sister is appointed to render services 3 times a week at local SANCA offices 20 patients were referred to Eldos SANCA for outpatient A total of 16 children were admitted at Golden Harvest In-patient Treatment Centre A Total of 252 were admitted at Out-patient Treatment Centre About 4 were referred for detoxification The Bright Star programme implemented in partnership with Bosasa is continuing at Eldomaigne and Willow Cresent Schools in Eldoradopark. Thus far 58 learners have completed the programme (16 youth and 42 children). The certification ceremony for those who completed the programme was held on the 20 th May 2014 With such evidence of success and service delivery and much more, I find it strange and demeaning that some residents in Eldorado Park including commentators in political and civil networks have found comfort in ostracising our government for allegedly failing the Eldoradopark community. Truth is, we can only do this much but expect communities to rise against their challenges so that they take control of their situation, create a platform for inclusive participation in ridding themselves off the carnage of drug and alcohol abuse and many social ills. moketa ho tsoswa oitekang Sesotho se re; I may also challenge the Justice System to reconsider some ordinances that should make drug merchants think twice about trafficking in South Africa. With our borders International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking Page 6

7 open for foreign trade, I can only advocate for stringent measures against those that undermine the growth and development of our country. Similarly, I may also call on the institutions of Community Safety to be vigilant in finding and prosecuting drug merchants so that we finally put curtains to this scourge that continues to ravage our communities. Just like the United Nation s theme for 2014 which is A message of hope: Drug use disorders are preventable and treatable states, I believe the Gauteng Province is well on course to creating hope by working and being visible in helping communities to prevent and treat their challenges around drug and alcohol abuse. In sustaining such, we shall continue to forge links with all stakeholders by strengthening Intergovernmental Relations strategies and exploiting opportunities for coordination, collaboration and integration of or services. For that I call for an all hands-on-deck approach dished with compassion and care in serving our people! Thanks! International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking Page 7