Drug Trafficking
21 June 2007
The Department of Social Development, Central Drug Authority as well as
stakeholders in civil society will commemorate the International Day against
Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, on 26 June 2007.
The Deputy Minister of Social Development, Dr Jean Swanson-Jacobs, will
officiate at the national event which will take place the Royal Bafokeng
Stadium at the Bojanala District Municipality in Rustenburg, North West. She
will be joined by the MEC for Social Development Ms Nikiwe Mangqu. The event
will start at 09h00.
The day is marked annually throughout the world on 26 June. Every year a
theme is developed by the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime to focus
worldwide activities in the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
The Theme for 2007 is "Drug Control", with the sub-themes:
* Do drugs control your game?
* Do drugs control your creativity?
* Do drugs control your brains?
* Do drugs control your community?
Objectives of the celebrations:
* to sensitise the public (parents, children and youth) about substance
abuse issues
* to ensure that different stakeholders participate in the fight against
substance abuse
* to target the youth (in and out of school) to fight substance abuse.
The activities will also serve to improve awareness of the "Ke Moja - No
thanks I am fine without drugs" youth programme. The programme targets youth in
and out of school. It imparts information about life skills including the
linkages of substance abuse and HIV and AIDS. It also empowers parents,
educators, and school governing body members to be able to identify youth with
substance abuse problems for early intervention and prevention where
necessary.
"Our youth is faced and challenged by the pressures of growing up and trying
to fit in with their peers, it is sad to witness our children being ravaged by
the effects of substance and drug abuse; as government we continue to renew our
commitment in partnering with communities to fight this scourge," said Dr
Swanson-Jacobs.
"We pledge our support to all those youths who have experienced the effects
of drugs, alcohol and other addictive substances and call on the youth of South
Africa to take control, shape their future and say, 'Ke Moja, No thanks I'm
fine without drugs,'" she added.
To consolidate the efforts in fighting substance and drug abuse, the new
Prevention of, and Treatment of Substance Abuse Bill has been gazetted for
public comment and is going through the parliamentary processes.
Enquiries:
Zingaphi Matanzima
Deputy Director: Media liaison
Tel: 012 312 7381
Fax: 012 312 7470
Cell: 073 122 3133/074 197 8383
E-mail: zingaphim@socdev.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Social Development
21 June 2007
