Today, on the second day of the Second Biennial Substance Abuse Summit currently underway in Durban, more than 600 delegates are urging for a more coordinated approach against the scourge of alcohol and substance abuse in the country. The Summit is hosted by the Department of Social Development and the Central Drug Authority (CDA).
The Summit is attended by representatives from government, civil society, community based organisations involved in community education and intervention on alcohol and substance abuse, political organisations, academic and research institutions as well as labour organisations.
Various research studies presented at the summit show that the level of alcohol and substance abuse in the country is unacceptably high. The plenary session deliberated on how alcohol and substance abuse impact negatively on family life and community life.
Recognising this negative impact, the summit emphasised that much more must be done to prevent young people from falling in to the claws of alcohol and substance abuse.
Speaking at the plenary session, Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini told delegates that the gravity of the challenge demands a coordinated response from all sectors of the South African community.
“There is no reason to believe that we will overcome this challenge, if we do not work together to raise awareness about the dangers of alcohol and substance abuse in the whole of society. We have to act now with the determination to put an end to this scourge,” said Minister Dlamini.
The summit will culminate in the adoption of national declaration, which will guide the development of a five-year national action plan on alcohol and substance abuse.
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Delegates to the Second Biennial Substance Abuse Summit urge for coordinated action against the scourge of alcohol and substance abuse
