Combat stigma and discrimination on those using drugs - World Drug Day 2023

Many people who use drugs face stigma and discrimination, which can further harm their physical and mental health and prevent them from accessing the help they need.

Monday marked The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, or World Drug Day. This day commemorated annually on 26 June, aims to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving a world free of drug abuse.

PICTURE: Pixabay

The theme for 2023 is “People first: stop stigma and discrimination, strengthen prevention”, which aims to raise awareness about the importance of treating people who use drugs with respect and empathy; providing evidence-based, voluntary services for all; offering alternatives to punishment; prioritizing prevention; and leading with compassion. The campaign also aims to combat stigma and discrimination against people who use drugs by promoting language and attitudes that are respectful and non-judgmental.

In May 2023, it was revealed that there are 1 819 knowndrug houses in the Western Cape. This is 242 more than June 2021.

Western Cape’s Social Development MEC, Sharna Fernandez, says it takes a whole-of-society approach to curb the abuse of drug use.

“It is important to treat those who suffer from Substance Use Disorders (SUD) and their families with respect and empathy. These disorders are an illness that require proper treatment and support, just like any other health crisis. SUDs are often a main contributor to other social ills like abuse, violence, crime, and unemployment, so it takes a whole-of-society (WOSA) and whole-of-government approach to stem the tide.”

Fernandez says her department has set aside R108.8 million to its Substance Abuse, Prevention and Rehabilitation programme for the 2023/2024 financial year.

The provincial department has an Alcohol and Drug Action Committee that oversees the organisation’s response to substance abuse. The MEC says Functioning LDACs are crucial to the expansion of SUD services in vulnerable communities, like rural areas.

Meanwhile, the City of Cape Town says 55 269 library books borrowed  within a 12-month period were related to substance abuse

In recent years, the Alcohol and Drug Action Committee has also started monitoring substance-related materials borrowed from City libraries, to help gauge what members of the public are seeking information on.

‘’Substance abuse and its impacts affect our society at so many levels, and it is overwhelming to consider the extent of the problem. It is also important to understand that substance abuse is not limited to drugs only, but alcohol too. The City continues to do all it can with available resources and mandates, to strengthen our social fabric and build resilience in our children, families and persons struggling with addiction, but we need help. We speak often about shared responsibility, and nowhere is that more apt than the fight against substance abuse. Together, we need to do more to prevent substance abuse in the first place, and much of that needs to start in the home, with frank discussions, access to information, and leading by example,’ said Patricia Van der Ross, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health.

The City said between July 2022 and April 2023, Law Enforcement and Metro Police Departments made 8 613 drug-related arrests and confiscated 53 520 units of drugs, including dagga, tik, mandrax, heroin and cocaine. Additionally 3 132 arrests were made for drunk driving in a 10-month period. The Law Enforcement Liquor Unit closed down 2 449 illegal liquor premises, issued 1 537 fines in terms of the liquor by-law and arrested 147 suspects for illegally dealing in liquor.

‘’That’s nearly 12 000 arrests for drug and alcohol-related offences, in less than a year, just by City enforcement agencies. The expansion of our services, and the introduction of LEAP in areas ravaged by drugs, firearms and gang activity are some of the contributing factors,’’ said JP Smith.  Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security.

‘’With the release of the most recent crime statistics, indicators reliant on enforcement actions showed the greatest gains in policing precincts where LEAP has been deployed. However, enforcement is not the solution. Instead, we need to chip away at the very deeply embedded social and economic challenges. The City is doing a lot in this space, in part due to the failings of national government, but these efforts are not sustainable without a massive collective effort,’’ he added.

 

Done By: Mitchum George