Central drug authority board inaugurated
2013-03-18 22:24
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Johannesburg
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Johannesburg - The third board of an authority aimed at
curbing substance abuse was inaugurated in Johannesburg on Monday.
Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini said the
Central Drug Authority's (CDA) new board needed to act against drug abuse with
determination.
She said drug and alcohol abuse were international
problems which fuelled other social problems.
"Research shows that alcohol and substance abuse
contribute to other social ills such as gangsterism, human trafficking, crime
and violence against women and children, and destroys families," Dlamini
said.
Through its negative effects on society, substance abuse
remained an obstacle to South Africa's development, the CDA said in its annual
report for 2011/2012.
The CDA is an advisory body which was established under
the Prevention and Treatment of Drug Dependency Act.
It is tasked with monitoring the implementation of the
National Drug Master Plan and reports to Parliament through the minister of
social development.
Dlamini said substance abuse destroyed families and
threatened the future of the youth.
She encouraged parents to take action when they detected
drug use in their children. "Parents must not just keep quiet when they
see there is a problem in the house."
Dlamini said dealing with substance abuse required help
from all sectors.
"If we are to conquer this war, it will not be as a
result of government action alone, but it will occur as a result of a
co-ordinated national effort."
Dlamini said the CDA's board should support the
Inter-Ministerial Committee [IMC] on Substance Abuse in its initiatives.
Legislative reform
Recent IMC initiatives included legislative reforms aimed
at limiting or banning alcohol advertising and increasing the age for legal alcohol
consumption.
The reviewed National Drug Master Plan for 2013 to 2017
is due to be approved by Cabinet next month.
Dlamini said the new plan would focus on primary
prevention of substance abuse.
"... The Plan advocates for collaborative, balanced,
and research-based approach interventions to inform policy and
programmes," she said.
The newly-elected board consisted of members of a number
of government departments and civil society.
It would be chaired by Mogotsi Kalaemodimo, from the
department of social development.
Led by Dlamini, he and the other board members recited a
pledge to serve the CDA with integrity.
During the first three months of the board's five-year
tenure, the CDA is expected to establish 23 Local Drug Action Committees, in
addition to its 215 existing committees.
- SAPA
