UNODC and Central Drug Authority organize a Collaborative meeting to discuss an integrated approach for the implementation of harm reduction and Opioid Substitution Therapy in South Africa

Date: 15th November 2022. 9 am to 4 pm

Cape Town, South Africa

UNODC, in partnership with the Central Drug Authority, organised a meeting to increase the support of relevant government and multi-sectoral structures for the implementation of harm reduction activities in South Africa, with a particular focus on Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST).

This meeting was attended by representatives from UNODC, Central Drug Authority (CDA), World Health Organization (WHO), National Department of Health (NDOH), National Department of Social Development (DSD), National Department of Correctional Services (DCS), South African Police Service (SAPS), Global Fund Local Funding Authority (LFA), South African Network of People Who Use Drugs (SANPUD), South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA)

SA National AIDS Council (SANAC) Technical Work Group Chair to take stock and to plan a harmonised way to promote harm reduction in line with the National Drug Master Plan to support policy harmonization between health, social security and justice sectors to support public health approaches for people who use drugs and people in correctional settings.

This meeting was planned as a forum for decision-makers to discuss how to scale up access to evidence-informed and human rights-based services and to ensure the continuity and sustainability of HIV, TB, viral hepatitis and STIs prevention, treatment, care, and support services for people who use drugs and people in prisons.  The meeting also was aimed at arriving at the next steps towards promoting and scaling up evidence-informed harm reduction services in South Africa.

 

  • It was agreed to promote harm reduction in line with the National Drug Master Plan to support policy harmonization between health, social security and justice sectors to support public health approaches for people who use drugs and people in correctional settings.
  • Participants felt a need for a forum for harm reduction stakeholders to discuss how to scale up access to evidence-informed and human rights-based services and to ensure the continuity and sustainability of HIV, TB, viral hepatitis and STIs prevention, treatment, care, and support services for people who use drugs and people in prisons. Based on the request of the participants it was decided to have a forum for harm reduction chaired by the Central Drug Authority. Core group present will meet regularly. UNODC will act as secretariat to convene meetings under leadership of the CDA.
  • Participants developed a prioritised work plan for implementation of harm reduction activities.
  • Participants urged that the report of the consultative meeting be shared with the National Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS development to include inputs, suggestions, and recommendations for inclusion of harm reduction interventions to scale. Central Drug Authority to draft a formal request to SANAC for inclusion.
  • Participants were also keen to advocate with the Global Fund for scaling up of harm reduction interventions in the next round of funding cycle for South Africa.

 

The meeting was moderated by Gunasekaran Rengaswamy, UNODC Regional programme Officer, HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care, Dr. Mariette Slabbert, Consultant and Prof. Pelmos Mashabela, Representative, Department of Correctional Services. Ministry of Justice, South Africa.

Some images from the meeting: