August 2024
From 27 to 29 August 2024, the UNODC Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSAF), jointly with the UNODC Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Section (PTRS), organised a workshop on the Adaptation of Key Quality Standards for Service Appraisal for the Quality Assurance in Treatment for Drug Use Disorders in Johannesburg, South Africa. This workshop was attended by a total of 36 policymakers and managers of the institutions engaged in monitoring and service provision of drug use disorder treatment.
According to the World Drug Report 2024, in Africa, cannabis is the most commonly used drug, followed by opioids. Reportedly, only 2.8% of people with drug use disorders in Africa received treatment in 2022, while only 10% of women in need of treatment had access (estimate based on a very limited number of countries in Africa). Furthermore, Southern Africa was amongst the regions with the highest proportions of people who inject drugs (PWID) that live with HIV (22.3%).
South Africa has made considerable efforts to improve the quality of care for people with drug use disorders over the years, such as the development of the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Use Disorders Policy 2023 and the Minimum Norms and Standards for Drug Treatment to name a few. Moreover, during the 67th Commission on Narcotic Drugs in March 2024, a Pledge4Action was made by the State to “improve the quality of substance use disorder treatment services, through the implementation of Quality Assurance strategies for drug use disorder treatment and care in the framework of the UNODC global projects in treatment of substance use disorders”. With the National Department of Social Development (NDSD)’s leadership, quality assurance mechanisms for the treatment of drug use disorders systems and services are a national priority.
The workshop brought key stakeholders together to compare and adapt national norms and standards for the treatment of drug use disorders to the UNODC/WHO International Standards for the Treatment of Drug Use Disorders by defining Key Quality Standards developed by UNODC and other partners. The aim was to align with these national norms and standards and further support mechanisms for quality service appraisal and improvement. Recommendations were drafted during the workshop by identifying gaps and assessing the areas that need to be strengthened. Along with adapted Key Quality Standards, stakeholders agreed on the need to revise the current Minimum Norms and Standards. In order to advance the implementation of quality assurance mechanisms for the treatment of drug use disorders, UNODC is currently piloting the UNODC/WHO substance use disorder treatment facility survey as well as some workshops on the UNODC/WHO International Standards for the Treatment of Drug Use Disorders to enhance the national capacity in this regard further.
Giovanna Campello, Chief, Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Section (PTRS), UNODC, highlighted, "As members of the international community, it is our collective responsibility to unite in our efforts to improve the quality of treatment for drug use disorders. Within our respective roles and mandates, each of us has a part to play in this endeavour. UNODC is committed to working alongside all Member States to support the development and enhancement of treatment and care systems and services at the national level.”
UNODC is in ensuring that individuals with drug use disorders receive the care they need, rooted in evidence- and human rights-based practice. This workshop was realised thanks to the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (US/INL) funding.
To access UNODC ROSAF’s web story on the UNODC KQS workshop, click here.
For more information on quality assurance for the treatment of drug use disorders, please contact: unodc-ptrs@un.org
To know more about the Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Section, click here.
Links to the publications on quality assurance for treatment of drug use disorders
