As part of this year’s National Drug Awareness Week, the Department of Social Development (DSD), in collaboration with the Central Drug Authority (CDA), is rolling out a comprehensive community outreach programme in various communities within the Gert Sibande District Municipality. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the pervasive issue of substance abuse and foster a collective approach to prevention, treatment, and support within the region.
The spokesperson for Bathembu Futshane, said the main aim of this annual campaign is to educate, share information and engage communities in meaningful conversation about the dangers of drugs and associated health risks.
“This in line with the intervention pillars of the National Drug Master Plan demand reduction, supply reduction and harm reduction. Guided by these pillars, the DSD interventions focus on prevention and treatment for substance use disorders to ensure recovery and rehabilitation to reduce the health and social harms associated with drug use,”
“Substance abuse levels in South Africa have continued to rise, with the age of first experimentation with drugs reportedly as young as 10 years. The surveillance report conducted by the South African Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (SACENDU) in 2024 provides ample proof of the severity and high prevalence of substance use and substance use disorders in the country,” said Futshane.
He also said the report further highlights a significant increase in the number of persons admitted for substance use disorders, with alcohol and cannabis as the primary substances of use across all provinces.
The trafficking of illicit drugs and significant involvement of transnational criminal networks in the drug trade adds to the enormity of challenges.
This is corroborated by data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC, 2024) that identifies South Africa as by far the largest market for illicit drugs entering the Southern Africa region
“Substance use and substance use disorders have a huge socio-economic burden, not only for the individual user but also their families and communities, as well as a major public health concern. In addition, substance use is a significant driver of gender-based violence,” added Futshane
He also said Standerton under Lekwa Municipality, Mpumalanga has been chosen for the commemoration of IDADAIT 2025.
It is located on the borders of Mozambique and the Eswatini Kingdom, and within close proximity of major national and regional roads, including the N4, N11, N12, N17 and the R40, making the area a major conduit for the manufacture of drugs and their illicit trafficking.
The week-long programme includes visit to local schools, taverns, churches, and community dialogues, culminating in the commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Those who are interested to attend Members of schedules as follows:
Date: Thursday, 26 June 2025
Time: 10h00-14h00
Venue: Sakhile Stadium, Standerton
