The Department of Social Development launched the Anti Substance Abuse Community Mobilization Programme on 14 October 2010 under the theme: "No place for drugs in my community". The purpose of community mobilization was to galvanise communities to take action in the fight against substance abuse.

The programme culminated into provincial summits, door to door campaigns and the 2nd Biennial Anti Substance Abuse Summit which was held in March 2011 in Kwa Zulu Natal Province. The summit adopted a series of resolutions which resulted in the development of the Anti Substance Abuse Programme of Action. (POA).

The POA was approved by Cabinet on 21 September 2011. POA is a five year integrated plan developed to address the scourge of substance abuse in the country. It also advocates for the utilization of multiple approaches to prevention of substance abuse across different discipline

The aims of the programme of action are as follows:

To develop policy, review and align liquor legislation
To educate and create awareness on substance abuse
To promote equal access to resources across South Africa
To respond to policies and legislation with regard to drugs and organized crime
To review institutional mechanisms to prevent and manage alcohol and drug use in the country

The National Department of Social Development will be briefing public service officials and members from the various Non Governmental Organisations with regards to the Substance Abuse Strategy

The first briefing session will be held as follows:

Date: 14 February 2012

Venue: Provincial Office, main Boardroom, Mimosa Complex, Barkly Road, in Kimberley

Time: 09h00

Various stakeholders including the departments of Health, Police, Education, and Economic Development, Sports and Recreation, etc .have been invited to participate.

For any further enquiries you can contact Conrad Fortune at 0798730679

ISSUED BY

Conrad Fortune

Manager : Communications

Department of Social Development

0798730679