substance abuse
7 February 2007
A high level summit on combating substance and drug abuse is to be hosted by
the Department of Social Development in partnership with the Central Drug
Authority (CDA), from 12 to 14 February 2007 in Johannesburg.
The CDA is a statutory inter-sectoral structure, established in terms of the
Prevention and Treatment of Drug Dependency Act of 1992. It comprises experts
from government and non-governmental agencies.
The Biennial summit, under the theme "Forging effective partnerships towards
a drug free society", will be officially opened by the Minister of Social
Development, Dr Zola Skweyiya on 12 February.
The gathering will bring together government, civil society, private sector
and drug experts to discuss how to reduce the demand for drugs and substance,
and how to effectively combat drug and substance abuse.
The summit will also enable South Africa to obtain recent data that could
contribute towards various treatment, prevention, rehabilitation, aftercare and
reintegration programmes.
The conference is the first of its kind in the country and the department
intends that it should take place every second year for the country to be on
par with its international counterparts.
Some of the objectives are the following:
* to generate an increased level of awareness pertaining to the dangers of
substance abuse
* to promote services available to those affected by substance abuse
* to enhance and increase partnerships between government, the private sector
and civil society in the efforts to combat substance abuse.
The details are as follows:
Dates: 12 to 14 February 2007
Venue: The Forum Conference Centre, 57 Sloane Street, Bryanston,
Johannesburg
Time: 9h00
Media reservations:
Zingaphi Matanzima
Cell: 073 122 3133
Jonas Mashigo
Cell: (012) 312 7793
Enquiries:
Lakela Kaunda
Cell: 082 782 2575
Issued by: Department of Social Development
Source: Department of Social Development (http://www.socdev.gov.za)
7 February 2006
