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Date
: 10/04/2006
Source: Department of Social Development
Title: Benjamin: Inauguration of new Central Drug Authority
members
Address by the Deputy Minister, Dr Jean Benjamin at the
Inauguration of the new Central Drug Authority (CDA) members, in
Boksburg
Master of ceremonies
Distinguished guests
Colleagues
Delegates
Ladies and gentlemen
I am truly pleased to be part of the inauguration of the new
members of the Central Drug Authority as it is an indication of the
progress we made in the prevention and treatment of substance abuse
since 1994.
Twelve days ago, the Minister of Social Development, Dr Skweyiya,
and myself, acknowledged the reviewed substance abuse legislation
in our budget speech. The National Drug Master Plan (NDMP) is one
of the documents in the field of substance abuse, aimed at guiding
the country to combat and prevent substance abuse. Allow me at this
stage to indicate, that in addition to the implementation of the
new National Drug Master Plan, you are challenged to develop an
integrated policy on the management of substance abuse that will
cater for all departments represented in the Central Drug Authority
until 2010.
Ladies and gentlemen, as you are aware, the Central Drug Authority
is a statutory body in terms of the Prevention and Treatment of
Drug Dependency Act, Act 20 of 1992. The Minister of Social
Development instituted the Central Drug Authority during July 2000,
to advise government on drug related issues and to implement the
National Drug Master Plan.
As members of the CDA you are expected to advise the Minister of
Social Development and other government departments on issues
relating to substance abuse management and control. You are
required to plan, co-ordinate and promote measures relating to
substance abuse prevention. Cabinet will adopt the National Drug
Master Plan 2005-2010 during the course of 2006. This policy
document acts as a barometer of time commitment and performance of
the South African Government and its citizen in the field of
substance abuse. The main objective of the NDMP is to form a united
front of all stakeholders in South Africa for a joint action
towards a society free of drug abuse.
You have to communicate decisions taken, at CDA meetings to your
organisations and provide feedback to the CDA on how your
organisations are preventing substance abuse through the
development of Mini Drug Master Plans.
Ladies and gentlemen, South Africa continues to experience
increased levels of substance abuse. Presently, the age of first
experimentation in drug abuse has dropped to nine years. However,
South Africa is not alone in its campaign against drugs. The rapid
globalisation of the drug trade over the past decade has virtually
ensured that no country is immune to the threat. The drug trade
transcends international borders in the global community. South
Africa is no exception. It continues to serve as a transit point
for the drug trade and it has also become a consumption country,
due to its well developed transportation infrastructure, modern
international telecommunications and banking systems. In addition,
the long, porous borders and at times, weak border control
mechanisms, make South Africa a natural target for drug
traffickers.
According to the 2006 report by the Commission on Narcotic Drugs,
30% of the world’s population under 15 years abuse drugs and
five million people die from related diseases every year. The
statistics for illicit drug trading and abuse reveal that less than
five percent of the world’s population under 15 years use
drugs and 200 000 people die annually because of their
addiction.
Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to emphasise that we are looking
forward to your valuable and diverse contributions. The successful
implementation of the National Drug Master Plan requires a
concerted effort from government and all sectors of society to
strive towards a drug free society. This can be achieved through
integrated interventions from all government departments and key
stakeholders. Participation of all stakeholders, such as local
government, health care professionals, traditional healers,
traditional institutions, religious organisations, schools,
parents, sports groups, the media and the private sector is
essential. New and innovative solutions such as community based
preventative programmes.
Members of the CDA, the essential activities towards action are
consistent and vigorous exchange of ideas, knowledge and expertise
between various service providers and across disciplines. For
dialogue to occur the role players and stakeholders need to know
and understand each other’s area of professional expertise.
For too long now have the different professionals worked in
isolation. This new term provides us with the opportunity to break
the barriers and seek innovative and workable solutions as a
collective, to address the challenges facing us in the prevention
and treatment of substance abuse.
Ladies and gentlemen, join me in congratulating the new members of
the CDA on their appointment. We all know the road ahead is not an
easy one. However, history has taught us that when we join forces
and pool our skills and resources, we can successfully meet the
challenges. I am hopeful that the new members of the board for the
Central Drug Authority will take up the challenge of achieving a
drug free society with vigour.
I thank you for your attention.
Issued by: Department of Social Development
10 April 2006
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